From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun Jan 5 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 4 Jan 2020 18:00:00 -0600 Subject: [ans] ANS-005 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-005 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Member KC9ZJX Receives 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Award * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 2, 2020 * Space Fence nearing operational acceptance by U.S. Air Force * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for January 2020 * Winter Field Day to Include Limited Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-005.01 ANS-005 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 005.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 Jan 05 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-005.01 AMSAT Member KC9ZJX Receives 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. Award Congratulations to AMSAT member Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, winner of the Bloomington and Normal (Illinois) Human Relations Commissions 2020 Martin Luther King Jr. award. The commission chooses people who re- flect the ideology of the late Dr. King. Rebba is a sophomore at Normal Community High School. He is a volun- teer and/or member of YMCA/YWCA, Illinois 4-H, Multicultural Leader- ship Program (MCLP), National Computer Science Honor Society, and First Robotics. He is also Amateur Radio Newsline's 2019 Young Ham Of The Year. Rebba gave the youth presentation at AMSAT 36th Annual Symposium Huntsville, Alabama in 2018 where is also received AMSAT's Presidential Award. The announcement is posted on-line at: https://www.wglt.org/post/bloomington-normal-mlk-awards-announced [ANS thanks WGLT.org, NPR Radio from Illinois State University, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 2, 2020 Correction to the addition of FloripaSat 1 to last week's TLE distri- bution: FloripaSat 1 is NORAD CAT ID 44885. Also the first part of the TLE distribution was left off the orb19360.2l.amsat file sent last week. The second file sent orb19361.2l.amsat contained the full list of satellites. We are still awaiting the identification of CAS-6. Or... Use the keps for FloripaSat 1 (NORAD CAT ID 44885) for CAS-6 per suggestion of Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P. This, of course, assumes that CAS-6 is in fact transmitting??? [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Space Fence nearing operational acceptance by U.S. Air Force According to NASA?s most recent Orbital Debris Quarterly News, NASA calculates about 17.6 million pounds of objects are in earth orbit. That number will only grow as more commercial space projects launch massive constellations with thousands of smallsats, presenting a huge problem for both U.S. government and commercial organizations. That?s where the U.S. Air Force?s Space Fence will play a crucial role. Using advanced solid-state S-band radar technology, the Space Fence radar located on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, it will play a critical role in the everyday lives of Americans who are becoming more dependent on space-based technologies for everything from weather forecasting, banking, global communications to GPS navigation. Today, these critical services are being threatened by hundreds of thousands of objects and space debris orbiting the Earth. Frequent col- lisions and deterioration of assets, such as defunct satellites and rocket boosters, have increased the amount of space debris and raised the risk of future collisions in space. The Air Force Space Surveillance Network currently tracks about 25,000 objects. When Space Fence comes online, the catalog will experience significant growth and when fully operational, Space Fence will be the world?s largest and most advanced radar system, providing unprecedented space situational awareness. Beyond cataloging objects, Space Fence will detect closely-spaced ob- jects, breakups, maneuvers, launches and conjunction assessments from LEO through GEO. Space Fence is currently in a trial period and expected to become fully operational in 2020. [ANS thanks Milsat Magazine 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Awards-Endorsements for January 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period December 3, 2019 through January 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! DEC JAN AA5PK 1064 1074 AA8CH 620 641 N3GS 601 624 WD9EWK(DM43)585 597 NS3L 526 551 W5CBF 179 533 K9UO 500 528 AA9LC 416 514 W7QL 451 478 PS8ET 303 326 G0ABI 306 320 WB7VUF 206 319 AA4QE 204 305 KC9VGG 200 228 KC9UQR 172 196 N9FN 103 194 W4AQT 153 179 W5CBF(EM21) New 179 W0NBC 152 176 KJ4M 102 170 W9VNE New 169 VE1VOX 126 155 W4DFU 116 151 AI9IN 125 150 WD9EWK(DM41)127 148 WD9EWK(DM23)104 137 N7AME 127 128 WA9JBQ 104 125 VU2LBW 100 114 KC8AMH New 101 N3CAL New 100 YO2CMI New 100 If you find errors or omissions, please contact W5RKN at w5krn.com. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It's a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apolo- gies if your call was not mentioned. Thanks to all those who are rov- ing to grids that are rarely on the birds. They are doing most of the work! [ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Winter Field Day to Include Limited Satellite Operations Winter Field Day runs for 24 hours during the last full weekend in Jan- uary each year from 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Saturday to 1900 UTC (2pm EST) Sunday. For 2020 the dates are January 25th and 26th. Station set-up may commence no earlier than 1900 UTC (2pm EST) on the Friday before. Station setup may consume no more than 12 hours total. All Amateur bands, HF, VHF, & UHF except 12, 17, 30 and 60 meters. Any mode that can faithfully transmit the exchange intact without a conver- sion table... CW, SSB, AM, FM, DStar, C4FM, DMR, Packet, PSK, SSTV, RTTY, Olivia, Satellite, etc... (note FT8 is excluded). Satellite contacts do not count as a new mode/band multiplier. Satel- lite contacts are limited to ONE ONLY per entry so as to not tie up satellite frequencies with stations calling CQ WFD. Three operating categories are available: Indoor: Operation from inside a remote, insulated, heated, and weather- protected structure where an Amateur station is normally not available. Outdoor: Operation from a location partly or fully exposed to the ele- ments and at least 30 feet away from your normal station location and not using any part of a previously erected antenna system or station. Home: Operation from inside a home or inside another structure attach- ed to a home that could or would be the usual location of an Amateur station. For additional information, see: https://www.winterfieldday.com/ [ANS thanks the Winter Field Day Association 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: January 6, 2020 West Valley Amateur Radio Club, Sun City, AZ January 11, 2020 Thunderbird ARC Hamfest, Glendale, AZ January 17-18, 2020 Cowtown Hamfest, Fort Worth, TX February 7-9, 2020 Hamcation, Orlando, FL March 6, 2020 Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX May 15-17, 2020 Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020 Ham-Con, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download at: https://tinyurl.com/yx7lc7m8 This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. For additional information on the AMSAT Ambassador Program, see: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Director, AMSAT Ambassadors for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Due to weather concerns, the W5M/MM satellite expedition to EL58 is being postponed to Sunday Jan 5th. For updates, follow on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ad0dx Lucas Gusher Special Event (EM20) January 11-12, 2020 The Beaumont Amateur Radio Club will be operating using the call- sign K5S on various HF bands including as many CAS-4A, CAS-4B, AO-91, AO-92 passes that we can. SO-50 and XW-2A also possible. More information about K5S can be found on qrz.com. Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2020 Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27. Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP User Services 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Shorts From All Over + TAPR PSR Digital Journal Winter 2020 Edition Available at: http://tapr.org/psr/psr143.pdf (ANS thanks TAPR for the above information) + The January/February 2020 SARC Communicator newsletter is available at: http://bit.ly/SARC20JanFeb This edition has 75 pages of projects, news, views, and reviews from the SW corner of Canada. Find out about the northernmost amateur radio station: "VY0ERC: What is life like at the farthest north Amateur Radio Club in Canada?" starting on page 14. (ANS thanks Surrey Amateur Radio Communications for the above info) + A CBC Hamilton news feature on John David, VA3JHD, and his work with the Canadian Forces Affiliate Radio Systems (CFARS), briefly mentions amateur satellites. See the article at: https://tinyurl.com/rmbpfxa (ANS thanks CBC Hamilton for the above information) + Work is going "smoothly" on the Chandrayaan-3 mission to put a rover probe on the moon's surface, Indian Space Research Organisation chairman K. Sivan told a press conference. India is seeking to become only the fourth nation after Russia, the United States and China to put a mission on the moon's surface and boost its credentials as a low-cost space power. The country's Chandrayaan-2 module crashed on the moon's surface in September. (ANS thanks spacedaily.com for the above information) + China has just released the first batch of #ChangE4 science data! The first ever mission to land on the the far side of the Moon. This is actually a really cool and user friendly website. To access in En- glish visit: http://moon.bao.ac.cn/index_en.jsp + E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the December 2019 edition of OSCAR News, issue 228. For details, see: https://amsat-uk.org/2019/12/31/december-2019-oscar-news/ Also, a video on a recent moonbounce and satellite expedition to Botswana may be found on the AMSAT-UK website: https://amsat-uk.org/2019/12/27/a21eme-moonbounce-qo100/ (ANS thank AMSAT-UK and Trevor Essex, M5AKA, for the above informa- tion) + Congratulations to Chris Taron, NK1K, on the achievement of DXCC via LEO satellite! This is a remarkable achievement matched by few. (ANS thanks Twitter @NK1K for the above information) + Congratulations to WA7FWF on uploading 1 million Fox Telemetry frames to the server. For more information on capturing telemetry from the Fox satellites, see: https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/ (ANS thanks Mark Hammond, N8MH, AMSAT Board Member, for the above information --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, K0JM at amsat dot org From k9jkm at comcast.net Sun Jan 12 00:00:04 2020 From: k9jkm at comcast.net (JoAnne K9JKM) Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2020 18:00:04 -0600 Subject: [ans] ANS-012 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for January 12 Message-ID: <14a169db-a357-e23b-ce97-a844e3c2f6e4@comcast.net> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-012 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Virgin Orbit Plans Flight Test of LauncherOne Rocket in February * AMSAT Awards Update * AMSAT at Cowtown Hamfest - Ft. Worth - January 17-18 * JARL Announces FO-29 Activation Schedule * CAMSAT Says CAS-6 Activation for Amateur Use has been Delayed * Telemetry Dashboard Available for SMOG-P and ATL PocketQubes * MIT Radio Society W1MX January Lecture Series on ?Everything Radio? * AMSAT-DL Announces a New QO-100 DownConverter V3d * AMSAT South Africa Space Symposium 2020 First Call for Papers * Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-012.01 ANS-012 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 012.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 12, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-012.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ If you missed the live HamTalkLive podcast featuring Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP on January 9 you can listen on demand any- time at hamtalklive.com; or a podcast version on nearly all podcast sites a few minutes after the live show is over including Apple Pod- casts, Stitcher, Google Play, SoundCloud, and iHeart Podcasts; and it's also available on YouTube. A replay is also broadcast on WTWW 5085 AM on Saturday nights at approximately 6:30 pm Eastern. Look for Episode 195 - AMSAT 50th Anniversary Recap 09 Jan +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Virgin Orbit Plans Flight Test of LauncherOne Rocket in February Virgin Orbit, AMSAT's launch for RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E, has announced they expect to have their first test launch of LauncherOne, their airborne-launched rocket, sometime in the second half of February. The LauncherOne rocket is carried on the VO 747 Cosmic Girl aircraft. If this first test flight is successful RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E is planned for launch on the second flight of LauncherOne during 1Q 2020 on the ELaNa XX mission. RadFxSat-2/Fox-1E ----------------- Uplink:???? 145.860 MHz - 145.890 MHz LSB/CW Downlink:?? 435.790 MHz - 435.760 MHz USB/CW (inverting) Telemetry:? 435.750 MHz 1K2 bps BPSK Investigate the excitement at: https://virginorbit.com/ - and - https://twitter.com/Virgin_Orbit/status/1214605925228482560 [ANS thanks Virgin Orbit for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Awards Update Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, reported, "Now that 2019 is behind us, I thought I would catch up with the awards issued the last half of the year." AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO + Daniel Rahn, K8EC + Bernd Peters, KB7AK + Shane Hale, KE5HSS + Benny Chandra, YD0SPU + Martin Lipert, OK1UM + Helene Charbonneau, VE2AQM + Spiro Andy Loizos, VE2LZS + Stelios Alex Loizos, VA2LZS + Souly Loizos, VE2FFS + Adam Warrix, KD9NRT + Steffen Gross, DM3CW ---------- AMSAT Communications Achievement Award + Jonathan Zylstra, KL2DN #620 + Robert Bankston, KE4AL #621 + Sloan Davis, KN4GQB #622 + Walter Mercado Vazquez, KP4T #623 ---------- AMSAT Sexagesimal Satellite Communications Achievement Award + Robert Bankston, KE4AL #184 ---------- AMSAT Century Club Award + Robert Bankston, KE4AL #54 ---------- AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award + Jonathan Zylstra, KL2DN #US222 + Robert Bankston, KE4AL #US223 + Sloan Davis, KN4GQB #US224 ---------- AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award (1,000-4,000) + Ron Parsons, W5RKN upgrade to 4000 ---------- AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award 5,000 + Adrian Liggins, VA3NNA #35 + Ron Parsons, W5RKN #36 ---------- AMSAT Rover Award + #043 N7EGY + #044 CU2ZG + #045 K9EI + #046 KR5Z + #047 N4DCW + #048 KC9VGG + #049 W3ZM/9 (OP KC9VGG) + #050 W5PFG ---------- The next batch of AMSAT 50th Anniversary Satellite Friends of 50 awards are hot off the presses. Congratulations to: + BH4IWK + F4HVO + K0CFI + KC9VGG + VE2FFS + WP4T Visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/ To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org and click on Services then Awards. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and ?Awards, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at Cowtown Hamfest - Ft. Worth - January 17-18 AMSAT will be represented at the 2020 Cowtown Hamfest in Fort Worth, TX on January 17 and 18 with a table, demos and presentations. If you live in the North Texas area, this is a great event, well attended and lots of vendors. Please put it on your calendar. Info posted at http://www.cowtownhamfest.com/ AMSAT Ambassador Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, says he has openings to staff the table, do the demos and assist with the presentations. The Cowtown amateur Radio Club was a home for our dearly beloved and SK, Keith Pugh, W5IU.? The organizers offered AMSAT a no charge table space in the market area so a big thank you to them is in order. Tom hopes you can plan to be a part of this fine event. If you can assist in any way for AMSAT, please drop Tom an email at: N5HYP at arrl.net Keep an eye on https://www.amsat.org/other-events/ for updates on coming AMSAT events. [ANS thanks AMSAT Ambassador Tom Schuessler, N5HYP, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ JARL Announces FO-29 Activation Schedule Due to battery problems FO-29 has been largely inactive - usually activated over Japan while in range of the command station. Akira Kaneko, JA1OGZ, FO-29 Command Station has posted an activation schedule for additional access: FO-29 Transponder Active (UTC) ------------------------------ 1/12 05:05- 17:00 1/13 04:10- 05:55 1/18 04:50- 06:35 1/19 03:55- 05:40 1/26 04:30- 06:15 2/1? 06:00- 2/2? 06:50- 2/8? 04:50-15:00 2/9? 03:55-15:50 2/11 03:50-05:35 2/23 03:20-05:05 2/24 04:10-5:55-14:20 3/1? 04:00-05:40-15:55 3/2? 04:45-14:55 FO-29 ----- Uplink:?? 145.900 - 146.000 MHz LSB/CW Downlink: 435.900 - 435.800 MHz USB/CW (inverting) Beacon:?? 435.795 MHz [ANS thanks Akira Kaneko, JA1OGZ, FO-29 Command Station for the above ?information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- CAMSAT Says CAS-6 Activation for Amateur Use has been Delayed 01/07/2020 - via ARRL Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) CEO Alan Kung, BA1DU, tells ARRL that some problems with the precise attitude determination of the newly launched CAS-6 amateur radio satellite have delayed deploy- ment of the antennas. The satellite was to have been put into service within 3 days. ?If the V/UHF antennas are deployed now, additional torque may affect determination of the satellite attitude,? Kung said. ?Engineers need to modify and upload the software, which will take some time.? He said that taking into consideration the upcoming long Chinese New Year holiday, the test work is planned to be completed sometime in late February or early March. At that time, VHF/UHF antennas will be deployed, and the amateur radio payload will be available for use. Kung points out that the satellite?s CW beacon has been turned on, although the antenna has not yet been deployed. ?If you have a ?big ear,? you may be able to receive weak signal leaked from an undeploy- ed antenna on 145.910 MHz,? he said. ?A polyimide cover on the anten- na chassis can help to leak some RF signal.? CAS-6 launched successfully on December 20, piggybacked on a TIANQIN-1 technology test satellite. The microsatellite will be known as CAS-6/TIANQIN-1, and the call sign is BJ1SO. The primary launch pay- load was the China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite, CBERS-4A. CAS-6 is in a sun-synchronous orbit with an apogee of 390 miles. It carries a U/V linear transponder, with a downlink of 145.925, 20 kHz passband (inverted) and an uplink of 435.28 MHz. The CW telemetry beacon is on 145.910 MHz, while 4k9 baud GMSK telemetry will be trans- mitted on 145.890 MHz. [ANS thanks CAMSAT and the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Telemetry Dashboard Available for SMOG-P and ATL PocketQubes The SMOG-P and ATL PocketQube team at the Budapest University of Tech- nology and Economics has released additional information about their satellites recently launched by RocketLab from New Zealand. SMOG-P digital downlink:? 437.150 MHz ATL??? digital downlink:? 437.175 MHz More information on both satellites is posted at: http://gnd.bme.hu SMOG-P (MO-105) is a 1p PocketQube (5x5x5 cm, 250 grams), a fully re- dundant tiny satellite with an actual scientific payload: a flying spectrum analyzer. It measures the scattered RF energy over the UHF band (specifically, in the digital terrestrial TV band) that can be detected in space. ATL-1 (MO-106) is a larger 2p PocketQube featuring the same spectrum analyzer experiment. Both satellites transmit almost identical telemetry data. In addition to basic CW telemetry carrying callsign, battery voltage and tempera- ture, there is digital telemetry with variable data rate and coding scheme. Most frequently, modulation is 1250 or 5000 bps GMSK. The data is encoded either by the well-known "AO-40" FEC, or a shorter, pro- prietary variant of it, but they can also use a more powerful, state- of-art repeat-accumulate (RA) coding scheme. Some practical information about receiving the telemetry: A GUI telemetry receiver is available for Windows and Linux (soon for OS X as well), and a command line receiver can also be used (Linux only). Both can be downloaded from: https://gnd.bme.hu:8080/index The programs are able to submit the received packets to the central telemetry data base. This requires a quick registration, the login credentials can be used with either of the decoders. There are some issues with the GUI software that hopefully will be resolved within a few days. These decoders assume either a USB receiver connected through the sound card or an rtl-sdr receiver. Thanks to Daniel Estevez, EA4GPZ, a high quality, full decoder and packet uploader is also available for GNU Radio 3.8 within the out- of-tree module gr-satellites. For uploading to the received packets, it uses the same login as the "official" programs do: https://github.com/daniestevez/gr-satellites/tree/maint-3.8 This decoder can unleash the full potential of the RA FEC. You'll need to put an FM demodulator in front of the flowgraph. The team is looking forward to seeing many submissions on the "Leader- board" from around the world: https://gnd.bme.hu:8080/leaderboard Having many receiving stations around the globe could greatly improve the global picture the spectrum analyzer payload can offer. [ANS thanks the PocketQube team at the Budapest University of Tech- ?nology and Economics for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- MIT Radio Society W1MX January Lecture Series on ?Everything Radio? The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Radio Society (W1MX) and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are hosting a lecture series in January that may answer? some of your questions about such topics as radar techniques, interferometry, imaging, and radio astronomy, to antenna design and? modern chip- scale RF devices. No prior experience with radio is necessary, and all are welcome. All lectures will take place in the Green Building ? MIT?s tallest academic building. Sessions will be live streamed and archived for later viewing. The lectures have already kicked off on January 10 ?with ?The Next Generation of Weather Radar.? Other topics include ?Lightning Interferometry? (January 13); ?Radio Noises from the Sky? (January 15); ?EDGES:? Measuring the Early Universe? (January 22); ?Antennas? (January 24), and ?Chip-Scale THz Circuits and Sensors? (January 29). Lectures begin at 5? PM ET and conclude at 7 PM. MIT has posted details at: http://w1mx.mit.edu/iap/2020/ [ANS thanks the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for the above ?information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-DL Announces a New QO-100 DownConverter V3d The first version of the AMSAT-DL down converter was built in early 2019, enabling many stations to become active on QO-100 for the first time. Since then, a lot of operating experience and new insights have been gained, which have flowed into the new board V3d. The AMSAT-DL DownConverter V3d is a completely new development. It offers important functions for all QO-100 stations, no matter if you work with VHF/UHF, HF transceiver, or an SDR. This new board can be used as a central frequency converter assembly for your QO-100 sta- tion providing stable clocks for all components meaning that addi- tional external GPS modules are not required. The specification for the AMSAT-DL DownConverter V3d includes: + Centralized clock generation with GPS or OCXO + Reference clock for the PLL in the LNB + Reference clock for a transmit mixer + Reference clock for an SDR + Short-circuit proof LNB phantom power + Connection for a dual LNB (for simultaneous NB and WB reception) + Downward mixing of the NB transponder into an amateur band ? (UHF/VHF or HF) + OLED display for displaying the operating status and the station ? coordinates The full specification and list of features is posted at: https://amsat-dl.org/der-neue-amsat-dl-qo-100-downconverter-v3d and you can order your unit at: https://shop.amsat-dl.org/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT South Africa Space Symposium 2020 First Call for Papers Papers are invited for presentation at the conference and publi- cation on the web. Please send your synopsis by 28 February 2020 in a word document of no more than 300 words to: admin at amsatsa.org.za. Please tell us if you will be available to present your paper at the conference ... speakers attend free. The Symposium date is July 18, 2020 at the Premier Hotel Midrand. The theme this year is "Amateur Radio in Space ? exploring VHF, UHF and Microwaves". Watch http://www.amsatsa.org.za/ for the latest information. [ANS thanks AMSAT SA 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 ARISS Contact Schedule Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: + Sayama Mizutomi Community Center, Sayama, Japan, direct via 8J1SS ? The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS ? The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP ? Contact is go: Mon 2020-01-13 11:58:07 [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, and David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS opera- tion team members, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations Satellite Shorts + January 17-19 EM17 KN6DBC? AO-91 & AO-92 night passes (@KN6DBC) New Orleans, LA (EL49, EL58, EM59, EM40, EM50, EM60) ??? January 14 ? February 1, 2020. Adam, KC3OBS, will be roving ??? EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59, January 14th ? Feb 1. In between, ??? Adam will be EL58, January 18th or 19th depending on weather, ??? and in EM60 January 29. Adam will announce passes and updates ??? on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparky_husky Lucas Gusher Special Event (EM20) January 11-12, 2020 ??? The Beaumont Amateur Radio Club will be operating using the call- ??? sign K5S on various HF bands including as many CAS-4A, CAS-4B, ??? AO-91, AO-92 passes that we can. SO-50 and XW-2A also possible. ??? More information about K5S can be found on qrz.com. Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2020 ??? Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC ??? in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour ??? Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they ??? may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. ??? Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on ??? FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing ??? through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no ??? promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27. Brennan Price, M/N4QX, will be active from grid square IO91 *as work ??? permits* January 20-24. QSL *exclusively* via Logbook of the World. Montserrat, January 26 to February 2 ??? Mel, W8MV, will be working the FM satellites using the callsign ??? VP2MCV. He will then be operating from Antigua from February 2 to ??? February 9. Mel is still waiting for the license so it is not yet ??? known what the callsign will be from Antigua. QSL via LoTW. Isla Perez, Mexico - EL52dj February 11-17 ??? Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla ??? Perez (grid EL52dj), Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators ??? mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Rey/ ??? XE1SRD and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/ ??? 10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). ??? QSL via XE1SY. ADDED NOTE: Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he doing ??? CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm ??? from EL51. (Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1446) Big Bend National Park (DL88)? March 16-17, 2020 ??? Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend ??? National Park to put grid DL88 on the air.? Details will be added ??? here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to ??? keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: ??? https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and ??? https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP User Services for ?the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Need help getting your Icom IC-9700 working with SatPC32? Check ? out this guide written by Stefan Wagener, VE4SW posted on at: ? http://www.amsat.org --> Satellite Info --> Station and Operating ? Hints --> "The new Icom IC-9700 is a great satellite radio ..." ? document is at the bottom of the page. The direct URL to the PDF ? document is: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-012-IC9700-SatPC32 + NASA's Texas Space Grant Consortium announced the summer program ? for STEM Educators (grades 5-12), LiftOff 2020: Moon to Mars, a ? weeklong professional development training for teachers, June 21-26, ? 2020. The application deadline is March 2, 2020. Workshops include ? learning experiences by incorporating a space science theme support- ? ed by NASA missions. Teacher participants are provided with infor- ? mation and experiences through speakers, hands-on activities and ? field investigations that promote space science and enrichment ? activities for themselves and others. Visit the program website ? at: http://www.tsgc.utexas.edu/liftoff/ + A new distance record has been set on the PO-101 (Diwata2H) FM ? transponder. F4DXV worked R9LR on 08-Jan-2020 at 22:57 UTC for ? a distance of 4,542 km. More posted at: ? https://twitter.com/PRStoetzer/status/1215441267976523777 ? https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ + The AMSAT-DL radome to house their QO-100 antenna made it to Ant- ? arctica and is installed on top of Neumayer-Station III. Further ? work will be needed to be install it permanently. The station is ? also waiting for the AMSAT-UK FUNcube relay to arrive, pending wea- ? ther conditions for flying there. See the photo posted by HB9HCF: ? https://twitter.com/pa3weg/status/1215642731336404995 + A tweet from @AlbaOrbital reports that AMSAT Spain is signed up to ? fly on Alba Cluster 3. The Spanish satellite is a 1.5p PocketQube ? called Hades which is a satellite for amateur communications imple- ? menting a Bent-Pipe type repeater and with Store & Forward capabil- ? ities. See: ? https://twitter.com/AlbaOrbital/status/1214932730045194240 + AMSAT-EA (Vocal?a de Satellites de URE) has registered with IARU ? and the Spanish administration their G?NESIS-L and G?NESIS-N sat- ? ellites for launch in mid-2020. An introduction to the project: ? https://www.ure.es/satelites-genesis-de-amsat-ea/ - and - ? https://twitter.com/ure_es/status/1214911584927133701 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=698 http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=699 + A 3-axis rotor based on the Celestron NexStar telescope mount with ? hamlib and rotctl drivers is demonstrated at: ? https://youtu.be/Avp1ROEkgeA -and- https://youtu.be/BDTjnJm41mc + Stuart Thomas, KB1HQS, author of the ARRL book, "Portable Operating ? for Amateur Radio", describes construction of a Hiking Pole Yagi ? Antenna for Extreme Environments" on his web page: https://kb1hqs.com/2019/12/26/ultralight-hiking-pole-yagi-antenna/ + Amateur radio talks featured at the popular DEF CON 27 event in ? Las Vegas during August 8-11, 2019. Watch Mark KR6ZY - Hunting tape ? measure yagis and offset attenuators - DEF CON 27 Ham Radio Village: ? https://youtu.be/KGQDQZT9lRQ - and - feast on the videos of hundreds ? of additional DEF CON talks posted at: ? https://www.youtube.com/user/DEFCONConference/videos ? (via Southgate) + In April 2020, the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope will celebrate ? 30 years since its launch. ESA/Hubble has produced a commemorative ? calendar of the telescope?s Hidden Gems that is now available for ? everyone to use and enjoy. See: ? https://www.spacetelescope.org/news/heic2001/ + Opensource.com has published 12 open source resources for kids and ? young adults to learn from open source technology: ? https://opensource.com/article/19/12/kids-students-education + Did you ever dream of being a NASA astronaut? This spring, NASA once ? again will be accepting applications for New Astronauts! Stay tuned ? to http://nasa.gov/astronauts for upcoming information on how you ? can explore places like the Moon and Mars. + The Signal Path presents, "Tutorial on Theory, Characterization & ? Measurement Techniques of Phase Noise" in a video posted at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOHjFtw0sgo&feature=youtu.be + If phase noise doesn't keep you up at night you've probably found ? yourself wondering why do mirrors flip left & right but not up and ? down? A video giving you the answer that this has to do with specu- ? lar reflection, mirrors being like windows into another world like ? alternate universes, just with in and out flipped! There's your ? answer! Have a good night after you watch at: ? https://youtu.be/1t4dOPxKgrY --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status. Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership 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 From n1uw at gokarns.com Sat Jan 18 23:31:20 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2020 16:31:20 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-019 Draft_200118_2329 Message-ID: <002701d5ce57$640f0440$2c2d0cc0$@gokarns.com> This is what will fly at 0000 unless anyone has any final corrections or additions. Mostly the same but some style changes in the API article and reformatting some lines with extra spaces. 73 F AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-019 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * GOLF-TEE Reaches Major Milestones * ARISS Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 * Satellite Status and Tracking API's Added to AMSAT Website * Qarman Beacon Telemetry Information Released * China Telecoms Regulator Proposing to Delete Some Current Amateur Allocations * Memorial Service for Brian Kantor, WB6CYT * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-019.01 ANS-019 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 019.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. January 19, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-019.01 GOLF-TEE Reaches Major Milestone A group of GOLF-TEE (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint - Technology Evaluation Environment) satellite prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. The boards are laid out on a bench as a "flat-sat" with interconnecting wires, bench power supplies, and a dummy load on the transmitter. The interconnected boards include: - An early RT-IHU (Radiation Tolerant Internal Housekeeping Unit (i.e. computer) prototype, - A CIU (Control Interface Unit) prototype, and - A set of spare boards from HuskySat-1 that act as prototypes for the LIHU (Legacy IHU) and legacy VHF/UHF RF components. Now that the development team has reached this point, it has RF to use as a basis for developing a GOLF-TEE decoder for FoxTelem, the ground telemetry receiver software. Thousands of hours of work by many AMSAT volunteers have gone into the hardware and software that got GOLF-TEE this far, with much work yet to be done before flight units are ready. GOLF-TEE is designed as a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits, including MEO(Medium Earth Orbit) and HEO (High Earth Orbit). To help support the GOLF program, please consider volunteering or donating today. https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/ https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/ [ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, AMSAT Flight Software, and the entire GOLF team for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals 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 is happy to announce a proposal window which will open February 1, 2020 for contacts that would be held between January 2021 and June 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 proposal window for contacts between January 2021. and June 2021 will open on February 1, 2020 and close on March 31. 2020. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.ariss.org. Two ARISS Introductory Webinar sessions will be held on two different date and times. The first is at January 23 at 2100 ET and the second is at January 27 at 1800 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-proposal-webinar-spring-2020.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. For 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 ariss.us.education at gmail.com . [ANS thanks ARISS 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Status and Tracking API's Added to AMSAT Website Thanks to an initiative by Heimir, W1ANT, AMSAT added Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to the AMSAT web site to make it easy for developers to write apps for mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, the satellite status page www.amsat.org/status does not work well on small screens. By accessing the status data directly developers can easily present the data in a way appropriate for their screens. These APIs also make it easy for IoT homebrewers to do things like build next pass reminder gizmos so they can beep out notices in CW. The developers have set a goal of February 15, 2020 to finalize the APIs, and consider them operational on March 1, 2020. Developers are encouraged to send suggestions or questions to www.amsat.org/webmaster-contact/ For details of API use visit www.amsat.org/status/api/ and www.amsat.org/track/api/ [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Qarman Beacon Telemetry Information Released QARMAN, a nano-satellite designed and built at VKI, was launched to the International Space Station on December 5, 2019. Deployed is expected to take place in the week of February 12, 2020. QARMAN (Qubesat for Aerothermodynamic Research and Measurements on AblatioN) is the world's first CubeSat designed to survive atmospheric re-entry. Work on it started in 2013 at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI). The aim of the QARMAN mission is to demonstrate the usability of a CubeSat platform as an atmospheric entry vehicle. Spacecraft descending towards a planet with an atmosphere experience very harsh environment including extreme temperatures (several thousand degrees). Information about Qarman's 437.350 MHz 9600 bps GMSK AX.25 beacon has now been released by the team. Download the Qarman Beacon Definition QARMAN_BCNdef_v1.1 at https://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/qarman_bcndef_v1.1.pdf Download the Beacon Decoder spreadsheet QARMAN_BCNdecoder at https://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/qarman_bcndecoder.xlsx Reports can be sent to operations at qarman.eu [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ China Telecoms Regulator Proposing to Delete Some Current Amateur Allocations China's telecommunications regulator has proposed amending the Measures for the Administration of Amateur Radio Stations, and some amateur bands are in danger of being eliminated. Lide Zhang, BI8CKU, told ARRL that the proposal would prohibit amateur operation on the 2200-meter band as well as on 146 - 148 MHz, 1260 - 1300 MHz, 3400 - 3500 MHz, 5650 - 5725 MHz, and all bands above 10 GHz. Radio communications engineer and Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) CEO Alan Kung, BA1DU, told ARRL that government efforts to eliminate some amateur bands are nothing new, but proposals that have been aired for a while now are on the regulatory agency's schedule. Kung said he does not anticipate that all of the bands proposed will be taken away, but he conceded that the climate will "undoubtedly" become increasingly more dangerous for China's amateur radio community. "The attempt to crowd out the amateur radio bands has a long history throughout the world," he said, "but it may never have become so urgent for the amateur radio community as it is today. We all understand that radio spectrum resources have become a bottleneck for further development." He said today's radio communication industry "is working hard to share spectrum resources." Kung characterized spectrum as "the soil on which amateur radio depends." [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial Service for Brian Kantor, WB6CYT Phil Karn, KA9Q shares the following announcement: "As you know, Brian Kantor, WB6CYT passed away suddenly on November 21, 2019. We will hold a memorial service for Brian on Saturday, Feb 1 2020 at 1:30 PM in La Jolla, CA (part of San Diego). Please see this link for details: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-019-Kantor-Memorial "Please bring any photos, mementos and (above all) stories and anecdotes about Brian to share. Brian wasn't exactly a highly formal person who stood on ceremony, so we'll keep this informal. If you have a story to tell, it's up to you whether you stand up and relate it to the whole group or just a few others at a time. There will be plenty of time for both. "Everyone who knew Brian is welcome. His friendships spanned at least three distinct social circles, and I know he'd be very happy to see everyone meet and enjoy everyone else's company. Even if he'd be a little embarrassed that we were doing it in his honor. "Free snacks and refreshments will be provided, so please RSVP through the evite link so we can tell the hotel how much to make available. If you have special dietary needs, please say so; the hotel has a menu we can choose from. "Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested. Hope to see you on the 1st." [ANS thanks Phil Karn, KA9Q 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 New Orleans, LA (EL49, EL58, EM59, EM40, EM50, EM60) January 14 - February 1, 2020 Adam, KC3OBS, will be roving EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59, January 14 - Feb 1. In between, Adam will be EL58, January 18 or 19 depending on weather, and in EM60 January 29. Adam will announce passes and updates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparky_husky Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019 Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27. Montserrat (FK86) January 26 - February 2, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Montserrat 26 January until 2 February, operating under the call sign VP2MCV on FM Sats. QSL via LOTW. Antigua (FK97) February 2 - 9, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Antigua 2-9 February. Mel is waiting for his operating license. Will update as soon as it arrives. FM only. QSL via LOTW Isla Perez, Mexico (EL52, EL50, EL51) February 11 - 17, 2020 Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla Perez, Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Rey/XE1SRD and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). QSL via XE1SY. Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he doing CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm from EL51. Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News (Editor's Note: See school contact opportunity story above.) + Upcoming Contacts Morita Junior High School, Fukui, Japan, direct via 8J9MO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Wed 2020-01-22 08:00:46 UTC 27 deg Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Wed 2020-01-22 17:21:36 UTC 32 deg [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Shorts from All Over + ARISS-US Educators Review Processes for US Proposal Window A team of educators who are members of the ARISS-US Education Committee is finalizing the last few processes related to the late 2019 ARISS-US Proposal Window. The team had ranked the education proposals and then sent a list to the ARISS-US leaders of the top schools and education groups recommended for hosting an ARISS contact. A news release is in draft stage. The organizations selected will be in the queue for scheduled ARISS contacts during the second half of 2020. A new ARISS-US Proposal Window will open soon and details on this will be forthcoming. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.] + WIA 2020 Annual Conference Presentations The Wireless Institute of Australia Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania May 8-10 2020 and registrations are open. On the Saturday afternoon a wide range of presentations are organized to showcase the conference theme which is the "Antarctic Gateway". Following lunch there will be two presentation streams which can be categorized as the "Antarctic" stream and the "Radio" stream. Complete information can be viewed at: https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2020/20200111-3/index.php [ANS thanks the Wireless Institute of Australia for the above information.] + AMSAT Argentina Celebrates LO-19 30th Anniversary On Feb-22-1990 LUSAT/LO-19 was launched along with AO-16, DO-17, WO-18, UO-14 & UO-15. It was the first Argentina Satellite, and one of first to use PACSAT protocol. LUSAT is still calling home with its carrier at +/-437.125. Members of AMSAT Argentina (LU7AA) celebrate the 30th anniversary of the LUSAT (LO-19) satellite between Jan. 18 and 26 on HF on SSB, FT8, CW. An award is available as well. QSL via LU7AA (d), eQSL. Find complete information at: http://lu4aao.org/lu7aa/cert_30_aniv_lusat_2020.htm and http://amsat.org.ar/certlusat30.htm [ANS thanks the DARC DX Newsletter and AMSAT-LU for the above information.] + AMSAT-SA Announces A New Date Fre Their Space Symposium The annual AMSAT SA Space symposium date has changed to Saturday, 11 July 2020. While the call for papers is ongoing till the end of February, AMSAT SA is pleased to announce that Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, of AMSAT NA will delivery two papers at the symposium: Fox-in-a-box: Fox telemetry reception using an inexpensive Raspberry Pi and a J-pole antenna including a discussion on the optimal positioning for a J-pole antenna for satellite reception and an overview of what is in orbit currently and expected in the near future and their features. Prospective authors are invited to propose other papers by submitting a brief synopsis to admin at amsatsa.org.za before 28 February 2020. + Cardiff Microwave Roundtable Saturday, March 7, 2020 The Cardiff University ARS will host a meeting of the UK Microwave Group on Saturday March 7, 2020 at our campus in Cardiff. This one day event is a mix of talks, measurements, and socializing about activities in the GHz frequencies. GNU Radio Workshop On the following day, Sunday March 8, there will be a hands on Introduction to GNU Radio and Software Defined Radio. More info coming soon, please send an email to officers at cardiffars.org.uk if you are interested. [ANS thanks the UK Microwave Group for the above information.] + Lockheed Martin Launches First Smart Satellite Enabling Space Mesh Networking Recently, Lockheed Martin launched the Pony Express 1 mission as a hosted payload on Tyvak-0129, a next-generation Tyvak 6U spacecraft. Pony Express 1, an example of rapid prototyping, was developed, built and integrated in nine months. Some of the key technologies being flight-tested include: - Software validates advanced adaptive mesh communications between satellites, shared processing capabilities, and can take advantage, of sensors aboard other smart satellites, - A software-defined radio that allows for high-bandwidth hosting of multiple RF applications, store-and-forward RF collection, data compression, digital signal processing and waveform transmission, - 3D-printed wideband antenna housing. Read the full story at http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=55121 [ANS thanks Spaceref.com 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun Jan 19 00:52:09 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 18 Jan 2020 17:52:09 -0700 Subject: [ans] AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin ANS-019, January 19, 2019 Message-ID: <002f01d5ce62$ae90f4f0$0bb2ded0$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-019 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * GOLF-TEE Reaches Major Milestones * ARISS Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals February 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020 * Satellite Status and Tracking API's Added to AMSAT Website * Qarman Beacon Telemetry Information Released * China Telecoms Regulator Proposing to Delete Some Current Amateur Allocations * Memorial Service for Brian Kantor, WB6CYT * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-019.01 ANS-019 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 019.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. January 19, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-019.01 GOLF-TEE Reaches Major Milestone A group of GOLF-TEE (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint - Technology Evaluation Environment) satellite prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time on Tuesday, January 14, 2020. The boards are laid out on a bench as a "flat-sat" with interconnecting wires, bench power supplies, and a dummy load on the transmitter. The interconnected boards include: - An early RT-IHU (Radiation Tolerant Internal Housekeeping Unit (i.e. computer) prototype, - A CIU (Control Interface Unit) prototype, and - A set of spare boards from HuskySat-1 that act as prototypes for the LIHU (Legacy IHU) and legacy VHF/UHF RF components. Now that the development team has reached this point, it has RF to use as a basis for developing a GOLF-TEE decoder for FoxTelem, the ground telemetry receiver software. Thousands of hours of work by many AMSAT volunteers have gone into the hardware and software that got GOLF-TEE this far, with much work yet to be done before flight units are ready. GOLF-TEE is designed as a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits, including MEO(Medium Earth Orbit) and HEO (High Earth Orbit). To help support the GOLF program, please consider volunteering or donating today. https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/ https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/ [ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, AMSAT Flight Software, and the entire GOLF team for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Contact Opportunity Call for Proposals 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 is happy to announce a proposal window which will open February 1, 2020 for contacts that would be held between January 2021 and June 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 proposal window for contacts between January 2021. and June 2021 will open on February 1, 2020 and close on March 31. 2020. Proposal information and documents can be found at www.ariss.org. Two ARISS Introductory Webinar sessions will be held on two different date and times. The first is at January 23 at 2100 ET and the second is at January 27 at 1800 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-proposal-webinar-spring-2020.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. For 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 ariss.us.education at gmail.com . [ANS thanks ARISS 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Status and Tracking API's Added to AMSAT Website Thanks to an initiative by Heimir, W1ANT, AMSAT added Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to the AMSAT web site to make it easy for developers to write apps for mobile devices and the Internet of Things (IoT). For example, the satellite status page www.amsat.org/status does not work well on small screens. By accessing the status data directly developers can easily present the data in a way appropriate for their screens. These APIs also make it easy for IoT homebrewers to do things like build next pass reminder gizmos so they can beep out notices in CW. The developers have set a goal of February 15, 2020 to finalize the APIs, and consider them operational on March 1, 2020. Developers are encouraged to send suggestions or questions to www.amsat.org/webmaster-contact/ For details of API use visit www.amsat.org/status/api/ and www.amsat.org/track/api/ [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Qarman Beacon Telemetry Information Released QARMAN, a nano-satellite designed and built at VKI, was launched to the International Space Station on December 5, 2019. Deployed is expected to take place in the week of February 12, 2020. QARMAN (Qubesat for Aerothermodynamic Research and Measurements on AblatioN) is the world's first CubeSat designed to survive atmospheric re-entry. Work on it started in 2013 at the von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (VKI). The aim of the QARMAN mission is to demonstrate the usability of a CubeSat platform as an atmospheric entry vehicle. Spacecraft descending towards a planet with an atmosphere experience very harsh environment including extreme temperatures (several thousand degrees). Information about Qarman's 437.350 MHz 9600 bps GMSK AX.25 beacon has now been released by the team. Download the Qarman Beacon Definition QARMAN_BCNdef_v1.1 at https://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/qarman_bcndef_v1.1.pdf Download the Beacon Decoder spreadsheet QARMAN_BCNdecoder at https://ukamsat.files.wordpress.com/2020/01/qarman_bcndecoder.xlsx Reports can be sent to operations at qarman.eu [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ China Telecoms Regulator Proposing to Delete Some Current Amateur Allocations China's telecommunications regulator has proposed amending the Measures for the Administration of Amateur Radio Stations, and some amateur bands are in danger of being eliminated. Lide Zhang, BI8CKU, told ARRL that the proposal would prohibit amateur operation on the 2200-meter band as well as on 146 - 148 MHz, 1260 - 1300 MHz, 3400 - 3500 MHz, 5650 - 5725 MHz, and all bands above 10 GHz. Radio communications engineer and Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) CEO Alan Kung, BA1DU, told ARRL that government efforts to eliminate some amateur bands are nothing new, but proposals that have been aired for a while now are on the regulatory agency's schedule. Kung said he does not anticipate that all of the bands proposed will be taken away, but he conceded that the climate will "undoubtedly" become increasingly more dangerous for China's amateur radio community. "The attempt to crowd out the amateur radio bands has a long history throughout the world," he said, "but it may never have become so urgent for the amateur radio community as it is today. We all understand that radio spectrum resources have become a bottleneck for further development." He said today's radio communication industry "is working hard to share spectrum resources." Kung characterized spectrum as "the soil on which amateur radio depends." [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Memorial Service for Brian Kantor, WB6CYT Phil Karn, KA9Q shares the following announcement: "As you know, Brian Kantor, WB6CYT passed away suddenly on November 21, 2019. We will hold a memorial service for Brian on Saturday, Feb 1 2020 at 1:30 PM in La Jolla, CA (part of San Diego). Please see this link for details: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-019-Kantor-Memorial "Please bring any photos, mementos and (above all) stories and anecdotes about Brian to share. Brian wasn't exactly a highly formal person who stood on ceremony, so we'll keep this informal. If you have a story to tell, it's up to you whether you stand up and relate it to the whole group or just a few others at a time. There will be plenty of time for both. "Everyone who knew Brian is welcome. His friendships spanned at least three distinct social circles, and I know he'd be very happy to see everyone meet and enjoy everyone else's company. Even if he'd be a little embarrassed that we were doing it in his honor. "Free snacks and refreshments will be provided, so please RSVP through the evite link so we can tell the hotel how much to make available. If you have special dietary needs, please say so; the hotel has a menu we can choose from. "Please forward this email to anyone you think might be interested. Hope to see you on the 1st." [ANS thanks Phil Karn, KA9Q 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 New Orleans, LA (EL49, EL58, EM59, EM40, EM50, EM60) January 14 - February 1, 2020 Adam, KC3OBS, will be roving EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59, January 14 - Feb 1. In between, Adam will be EL58, January 18 or 19 depending on weather, and in EM60 January 29. Adam will announce passes and updates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparky_husky Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019 Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27. Montserrat (FK86) January 26 - February 2, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Montserrat 26 January until 2 February, operating under the call sign VP2MCV on FM Sats. QSL via LOTW. Antigua (FK97) February 2 - 9, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Antigua 2-9 February. Mel is waiting for his operating license. Will update as soon as it arrives. FM only. QSL via LOTW Isla Perez, Mexico (EL52, EL50, EL51) February 11 - 17, 2020 Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla Perez, Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Rey/XE1SRD and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). QSL via XE1SY. Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he doing CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm from EL51. Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News (Editor's Note: See school contact opportunity story above.) + Upcoming Contacts Morita Junior High School, Fukui, Japan, direct via 8J9MO The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Wed 2020-01-22 08:00:46 UTC 27 deg Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Canada, telebridge via IK1SLD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Wed 2020-01-22 17:21:36 UTC 32 deg [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Shorts from All Over + ARISS-US Educators Review Processes for US Proposal Window A team of educators who are members of the ARISS-US Education Committee is finalizing the last few processes related to the late 2019 ARISS-US Proposal Window. The team had ranked the education proposals and then sent a list to the ARISS-US leaders of the top schools and education groups recommended for hosting an ARISS contact. A news release is in draft stage. The organizations selected will be in the queue for scheduled ARISS contacts during the second half of 2020. A new ARISS-US Proposal Window will open soon and details on this will be forthcoming. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.] + WIA 2020 Annual Conference Presentations The Wireless Institute of Australia Annual Conference will be held in Hobart, Tasmania May 8-10 2020 and registrations are open. On the Saturday afternoon a wide range of presentations are organized to showcase the conference theme which is the "Antarctic Gateway". Following lunch there will be two presentation streams which can be categorized as the "Antarctic" stream and the "Radio" stream. Complete information can be viewed at: https://www.wia.org.au/newsevents/news/2020/20200111-3/index.php [ANS thanks the Wireless Institute of Australia for the above information.] + AMSAT Argentina Celebrates LO-19 30th Anniversary On Feb-22-1990 LUSAT/LO-19 was launched along with AO-16, DO-17, WO-18, UO-14 & UO-15. It was the first Argentina Satellite, and one of first to use PACSAT protocol. LUSAT is still calling home with its carrier at +/-437.125. Members of AMSAT Argentina (LU7AA) celebrate the 30th anniversary of the LUSAT (LO-19) satellite between Jan. 18 and 26 on HF on SSB, FT8, CW. An award is available as well. QSL via LU7AA (d), eQSL. Find complete information at: http://lu4aao.org/lu7aa/cert_30_aniv_lusat_2020.htm and http://amsat.org.ar/certlusat30.htm [ANS thanks the DARC DX Newsletter and AMSAT-LU for the above information.] + AMSAT-SA Announces A New Date Fre Their Space Symposium The annual AMSAT SA Space symposium date has changed to Saturday, 11 July 2020. While the call for papers is ongoing till the end of February, AMSAT SA is pleased to announce that Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, of AMSAT NA will delivery two papers at the symposium: Fox-in-a-box: Fox telemetry reception using an inexpensive Raspberry Pi and a J-pole antenna including a discussion on the optimal positioning for a J-pole antenna for satellite reception and an overview of what is in orbit currently and expected in the near future and their features. Prospective authors are invited to propose other papers by submitting a brief synopsis to admin at amsatsa.org.za before 28 February 2020. + Cardiff Microwave Roundtable Saturday, March 7, 2020 The Cardiff University ARS will host a meeting of the UK Microwave Group on Saturday March 7, 2020 at our campus in Cardiff. This one day event is a mix of talks, measurements, and socializing about activities in the GHz frequencies. GNU Radio Workshop On the following day, Sunday March 8, there will be a hands on Introduction to GNU Radio and Software Defined Radio. More info coming soon, please send an email to officers at cardiffars.org.uk if you are interested. [ANS thanks the UK Microwave Group for the above information.] + Lockheed Martin Launches First Smart Satellite Enabling Space Mesh Networking Recently, Lockheed Martin launched the Pony Express 1 mission as a hosted payload on Tyvak-0129, a next-generation Tyvak 6U spacecraft. Pony Express 1, an example of rapid prototyping, was developed, built and integrated in nine months. Some of the key technologies being flight-tested include: - Software validates advanced adaptive mesh communications between satellites, shared processing capabilities, and can take advantage, of sensors aboard other smart satellites, - A software-defined radio that allows for high-bandwidth hosting of multiple RF applications, store-and-forward RF collection, data compression, digital signal processing and waveform transmission, - 3D-printed wideband antenna housing. Read the full story at http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=55121 [ANS thanks Spaceref.com 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Jan 26 00:00:06 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2020 16:00:06 -0800 Subject: [ans] ANS-026 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-026 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * HuskySat-1 With AMSAT VHF/UHF Linear Transponder Planned for Deployment Soon * Celebration of 50th Anniversary of Australis-OSCAR 5 * ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3-GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment Deadlines * FO-99 (NEXUS) 1st Anniversary Report * Amateurs in the News: ?96-year-old Amateur Radio operator at Ontario Science Centre speaks with astronaut" * Upcoming ARISS Contacts * Upcoming AMSAT Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-026.01 ANS-026 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 026.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 26, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-026.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF-TEE satellite recently reached a major milestone when prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time. Help support AMSAT's path back to HEO by donating today! https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ HuskySat-1 With AMSAT VHF/UHF Linear Transponder Planned for Deployment Soon The University of Washington's HuskySat-1 3U cubesat was launched on the Northrop Grumman NG-12 Cygnus supply mission to the ISS on Novem- ber 2. HuskySat-1 has remained stowed aboard Cygnus scheduled for de- ployment after the cargo ship unberths from the International Space Station. Unberthing is scheduled for 1435 UTC (9:35 am EST) on Jan 31 and will be covered live on NASA TV. Within 24 hours after departure from the ISS, HuskySat-1 and SwampSat will be deployed into orbit. After deployment, HuskySat-1?s 1,200 bps BPSK beacon on 435.800 MHz should be active and decodable with the latest release of AMSAT's FoxTelem software. HuskySat-1 is expected to run its primary mission before being turned over to AMSAT for amateur radio operation. HuskySat-1 features a 30 kHz wide 145 to 435 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW. HuskySat-1 ---------- Uplink: 145.910 - 145.940 MHz LSB/CW Downlink: 435.840 - 435.810 MHz USB/CW (inverting) Telemetry: 435.800 MHz 1K2 bps BPSK 24049.00 MHz (U of Washington experimental downlink) The latest version of FoxTelem software to decode the 1200 bps BPSK beacon is available at: https://www.amsat.org/tlm The Fox-In-A-Box FoxTelem software has been updated for HuskySat-1 Operation at it's download website: http://burnsfisher.com/AMSAT/FoxInABox This release now contains the SD card image, FIAB-distro8-V1.08w.zip. This file, when unzipped and written to a 16Gb SD card will give you the latest software for FoxTelem and will run on a Raspberry Pi 4. This is an image of the same SD card that has been shipping from the AMSAT store for several weeks. (It should work on an 8Gb card as well with less room to spare of course). Version 1.08w has a few fixes from the previous 1.08r which was the previous download version. Improvements to the decoder will capture data a bit better. Remember that the later 1.08 versions (including r and w) know how to switch bands between listening on VHF and UHF based on which of Fox and Husky satellites are overhead at the time. (Fox-In-A-Box information thanks to Burns Fisher, WB1FJ) The linear transponder and telemetry system carried aboard Fox-1E was designed for use in different CubeSats by merely adding an inter- face adapter for connection to the host bus. Noting the prevalence of CubeSats built and launched by universities and other organizations, AMSAT adopted a goal of ?amateur radio in every CubeSat.? Interested CubeSat programs wanting to fly an amateur radio payload may partner with AMSAT to carry one of these modules on their spacecraft. By pro- viding 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. Additional information is posted on the University of Washington Husky Satellite Lab pages: https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/huskysatellitelab/huskysat-1 https://sites.google.com/uw.edu/huskysatellitelab/huskysat-1/com1 [ANS thanks the HuskySat-1 Team, AMSAT Engineering, AMSAT Operations, the Fox Telemetry Team, and NASA 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Celebration of 50th Anniversary of Australis-OSCAR 5 January 23, 2020 was the 50th anniversary of the launch of Australis- OSCAR 5. The first satellite built in Australia, arranging its launch was AMSAT's first project following the creation of the organization in 1969. AO-5 launched along with TIROS-M (later ITOS-1) on a Delta rocket from the west pad of Space Launch Complex 2 at Vandenberg Air Force Base. Built by students at The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Battery powered, Australis-OSCAR 5 transmitted telemetry on both 2 meter (144.050 MHz at 50 mW) and 10 meter (29.450 MHz at 250 mW) bands that operated for 23 and 46 days respectively. Passive magnetic attitude stabilization was performed by carrying two bar magnets to align with the Earth's magnetic field in order to provide a favorable antenna footprint. The University of Melbourne compiled tracking reports from hundreds of stations in 27 countries. Australis-OSCAR 5 was the first amateur satellite that was remotely controlled. The control logic is a direct predecessor to the control systems used by AMSAT in AMSAT-OSCAR 6, AMSAT-OSCAR 7, and AMSAT-OSCAR 8. Two of the builders of AO-5, Dr. Owen Mace and Richard Tonkin, spoke at the 2019 AMSAT Space Symposium this past October and participated in a panel on "The Foundations of AMSAT." Video of the panel presentations can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-AO-5 On January 22nd, Tonkin appeared on The Space Show Australia Summer Edition on 88.3 Southern FM in Victoria to discuss AO-5. The episode can be heard at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-SpaceShow Mace and Tonkin have written a book about the story of AO-5. The second edition of the book was released in December. More information about the satellite and the book can be found at https://australis-oscar5.weebly.com/ A 50th anniversary celebration will be held on February 27th at the University of Melbourne. [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL to Argue for Continued Access to 3-GHz Spectrum as FCC Sets Comment Deadlines At its January meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors instructed the League?s FCC counsel to prepare a strong response to protect amateur access to spectrum in the 3 GHz range. In its Notice of Proposed Rule- making (NPRM) in WT Docket 19-348, the FCC proposed to relocate all non-federal operations, including amateur uses, to spectrum outside the 3.3 ? 3.55 GHz band. The Commission anticipates auctioning this spectrum to expand commercial use of 5G cellular and wireless broad- band services, if agreement can be reached on relocation of ? or sharing with ? the federal incumbents that operate in the same band. Publication of the NPRM in the Federal Register on January 22 established deadlines of February 21 for comments and March 23 for reply comments. The FCC has requested comment on the uses radio amateurs make of the spectrum and appropriate relocation options. Complicating matters is the fact that radio amateurs must consider the possibility that the immediately adjacent 3.1 ? 3.3 GHz band is included in the spectrum that Congress has identified for similar study. FCC Commissioner Michael O?Rielly, in a December statement, referenced the fact that the lower band may also be considered for non-federal reallocation, potentially limiting relocation possibilities. Amateurs make substantial use of the 3.3 ? 3.5 GHz band that would be hard to replicate elsewhere, and they have filed more than 150 comments before the designated comment period even began. Among users looking at options are those who use this spectrum for Earth-Moon- Earth (moonbounce) communication, mesh networks, experiments with communication over long distances, radiosport, and amateur television. A portion of the band also is designated for use by amateur satellites in ITU Regions 2 and 3 (the Americas and Asia/Pacific). A report is due by March 23 from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) evaluating the feasibility of having federal users share all or part of the 3.1 ? 3.55 GHz band with commercial wireless services. This report is required by the Making Opportunities for Broadband Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless (MOBILE NOW) Act. The results of the NTIA report will impact how much spectrum ultimately may be re- allocated for auction to wireless providers. ARRL urges amateurs who comment to inform the FCC about the uses they make of the 3 GHz spectrum. Short comments and longer statements may be filed electronically. Visit the FCC ?How to Comment on FCC Proceedings? page for more information. Commenters should reference WT Docket 19-348. Editor's Note: As this rulemaking would delete the 3.4 - 3.41 GHz amateur satellite service band, AMSAT is also preparing comments to be filed on this matter. Continued access to microwave spectrum is crucial for GOLF and future AMSAT missions to HEO, GEO, and beyond. [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- FO-99 (NEXUS) 1st Anniversary Report NEXUS, an amateur radio technology demonstration satellite was developed by Japan Amateur Satellite Association (JAMSAT) and NEXUS project team in Department of Aerospace Engineering, College of Science and Technology, Nihon University, Japan, and launched by Japanese Epsilon#4 rocket from the Uchinoura Space Center at JST 9:50:20, 18 January 2019. We would like to express our deep appreciation to all concerned and report the results of the operation after the launch, i.e. one year?s operation from 18 January 2019 to 18 January 2020. The comprehensive report of operations can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-FO-99 [ANS thanks the NEXUS Project Team at Nihon University 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Amateurs in the News: ?96-year-old Amateur Radio operator at Ontario Science Centre speaks with astronaut" A successful International Space Station (ISS) contact was held on January 22 with participants at the Ontario Science Centre?s Amateur Radio station VE3OSC in Toronto, Ontario. As described below this was no ordinary ARISS contact. ?Jean Moffet, VE3WAD, has been a volunteer at the VE3OSC station for more than 30 years. Having recently celebrated her 96th birthday, Jean indicated one of her bucket list items is to speak to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). To honour her invaluable contribution, the Science Centre worked in partnership with the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Canada to help Jean check this item off her list.? The event was featured on Global News at 5:30 Toronto ? in an interview with Anchor/Producer Broadcast Journalist Susan Hay ? and on CTV News Toronto by Videojournalist Scott Lightfoot. Nick Westoll of Global News wrote: ?Jean Moffett crossed an item off her bucket list on Wednesday by speaking with Commander Luca Parmitano, an Italian astronaut from the European Space Agency, aboard the International Space Station. ?Commander Parmitano, I have two questions to ask you: Do you have an opinion about extraterrestrial life before being on the International Space (ISS) Station and has being on the ISS changed your views?? she asked. Moffett was asked how long she has been waiting to do this. ?Since I was 60? I was an amateur radio operator and my voice was going up to satellites and I could hear the astronauts speaking, but I could never speak to them,? she recalled. ?I thought to myself, that?s my bucket wish?.? Scott Lightfoot of CTV News wrote: ?Moffatt grew up in North Bay and moved to Toronto as a young girl with her family hoping that there would be opportunities for a girl interested in science and technology. ?When we moved to Toronto I desperately wanted to go to university, but my mom and dad had bought a house, and there was just enough money for my brother to go to university.? Undeterred, Moffatt said she took a course in Amateur Radio and shortly after, got her licence. More than 30 years ago, after retiring, and the death of her husband, Moffatt started volunteering at the Ontario Science Centre, an endeavor she admits wasn?t successful at first. ?I was working in the greenhouse, killing all the plants because I cannot keep plants alive?. Armed with her radio licence, she helped set up the centre?s first radio shack with the call sign VE3OSC. The idea to connect the nonagenarian with the ISS came just after Moffatt?s 96th birthday. ?She mentioned to me that one of the things she?s always wanted to do was talk to an astronaut? Christine Pigeon, the volunteer coordinator at the Science Centre told CTV News Toronto. It all started with an e-mail, and three months later with the help of ham radio operators and NASA, Moffatt made her connection.? Congratulations and Thank You! Radio Amateurs of Canada would like to congratulate Jean Moffet, VE3WAD, on this significant achievement and thank everyone who was involved with this very special event. We hope to bring you additional information about this event in a future issue of The Canadian Amateur magazine. We would especially like to thank Global News and CTV News for their coverage of this event. For the full story and links to the quoted stories and videos, see https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-RAC [ANS thanks the Radio Amateurs of Canada for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contacts Agrupamento de Escolas Serafim Leite, S?o Jo?o da Madeira, Portugal, direct via CS2ASL The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Mon 2020-01-27 16:33:34 UTC 64 deg (***) Primary School ?Jovan Jovanovi? Zmaj?, Sremska Mitrovica, Serbia, direct via YU7BPQ The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP Contact is go for: Tue 2020-01-28 15:51:19 UTC 48 deg Possible Russian supported contact with Ecuador, via TBD (***) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS (***) The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka (***) Contact possibly is go for Fri 2020-02-07 14:00 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 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. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS [ANS thanks Charlie Sulfana, AJ9N, ARISS Operations, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming AMSAT Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: + February 7-9, 2020, Hamcation, Orlando, FL + February 14-15, 2020, Yuma Hamfest and ARRL Southwest Division Convention, Yuma, AZ + February 15, 2020, Cabin Fever Reliever Hamfest, Saint Cloud, MN + March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX + March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ + March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN + March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ + March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ + March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA + May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ + May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ + May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH + June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-Hamfest This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP - User Services, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Satellite Shorts Feb 15 CN78 AD0DX FM and Linear (Twitter @ad0dx) Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) New Orleans, LA (EL49, EL58, EM59, EM40, EM50, EM60) January 14 ? February 1, 2020 Adam, KC3OBS, will be roving EM40, EM50, EL49, EL59, January 14th ? Feb 1st. In between, Adam will be in EM60 January 29th. Adam will announce passes and updates on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparky_husky Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019 Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in the 2020 CQ 160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour Light- house, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They will also make the reverse trek on January 27. Montserrat (FK86) January 26 ? February 2, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Montserrat 26 January until 2 February, operating under the call sign VP2MCV on FM Sats. QSL via LOTW. #SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020 Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KE9AJ There is a possibility that Joe may have to make a pit stop in EM54 and EM53 on his way down South on February 1st. Monitor Twitter for updates. Antigua (FK97) February 2 ? 9, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Antigua 2-9 February. Mel is waiting for his operating license. Will update as soon as it arrives. FM only. QSL via LOTW Isla Perez, Mexico (EL52, EL50, EL51) February 11 ? 17, 2020 Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla Perez, Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Rey/XE1SRD and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). QSL via XE1SY. Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he is doing CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm from EL51. Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP - User Services, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Shorts From All Over + Want to make a satgate out of your Raspberry Pi? Check out how at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-SatGate + CQ operators of PO-101! If you have successfully operated PO-101, you can request a QSL card from the PO-101 team! Just fill in the necessary info and they will send it to you as a token of appreciation for using PO-101 https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-PO-101 + Peter Goodhall, 2M0SQL, notes that PSK31 transponders on NO-84 and NO-104 are underutilized. If you are looking to try something new this week, why not give it a shot? Uplinks are on 10m and downlinks are on 70cm. More information at http://aprs.org/psat.html and http://aprs.org/psat2.html + Justin McAllister, K5EM, reports that he updated his SatMatch tool with a new advanced search user interface. He has also made the tool more mobile responsive. Check it out at https://www.satmatch.com/ + FO-29 remains operational. However, the batteries on the 23 year old satellite cannot maintain a safe voltage throughout an entire eclipse during this point in its orbit with lengthy eclipse periods. The satellite is commanded on over Japan periodically and will remain active after the command until the battery voltage drops below a set threshold, at which point it is automatically switched off to preserve the batteries. Upcoming command times follow: 2/1 06:00 2/2 06:50 2/8 04:50 15:00 2/9 03:55 15:50 2/11 03:50 05:35 2/23 03:20 05:05 2/24 04:10 05:55 14:20 3/1 04:00 05:40 15:55 3/2 04:45 14:55 + Scott Chapman, K4KDR, reports that AISAT-1 is active again on 2m packet. He reports that the best success at digipeating is achieved using NFM and Doppler correction if possible. iGates should be proxied through KE6BLR to correct the satellite's malformed packets so they are visible to the greater APRS-IS network. + Scott further reports that Taurus-1 remains active. Taurus-1 carries a VHF FM to UHF Codec2 transponder. For more information about this unique analog uplink, digital downlink system, see N8HM's AMSAT Journal article / Symposium paper about LO-90 at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-LO-90 Operation via Taurus-1 is similar to LO-90, except with an uplink of 145.840 MHz and a downlink of 435.840 MHz. For more information, see https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2019-September/074905.html + Finally, Scott also reports, that despite the telemetry from Duchifat-3 reporting the FM transponder to be on, nothing is heard when uplinking at 145.970 MHz. We await further information about the status of this satellite's FM transponder. + Hackaday featured an article entitled "Lessons Learned from a CubeSat Postmortem" regarding problems encountered by KRAKsat, a 1U CubeSat deployed from the ISS in June 2019. Read the article at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-Hackaday [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Fri Jan 31 15:01:42 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 07:01:42 -0800 Subject: [ans] ANS-031 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Joe Spier, K6WAO, Resigns as AMSAT President Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-031 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Joe Spier, K6WAO, Resigns as AMSAT President SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-031.01 ANS-031 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 031.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 31, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-031.01 Joe Spier, K6WAO, Resigns as AMSAT President Joe Spier, K6WAO, has tendered his resignation as AMSAT President, citing personal reasons. Spier had served as AMSAT's President since October 2017. Prior to his tenure as President, Spier served as AMSAT's Executive Vice President and Vice President - Educational Relations. He also served as an AMSAT News Service Editor and as a member of the ARISS Education Team. Under the AMSAT bylaws, Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, assumes the office of President until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Stoetzer said "I want to thank Joe for his many years of service to AMSAT in a variety of roles. I especially want to recognize his efforts to mark AMSAT's 50th Anniversary with special events at the Dayton Hamvention and AMSAT Symposium. His leadership in bringing together a variety of figures from the history of amateur radio in space in Arlington, VA this past fall helped to make the Symposium a very special event." [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Fri Jan 31 17:00:46 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2020 09:00:46 -0800 Subject: [ans] =?utf-8?q?ANS-031=2E02_AMSAT_News_Service_Special_Bulletin_?= =?utf-8?q?-_Free_Digital_Copy_of_=E2=80=9CGetting_Started_with_Ama?= =?utf-8?q?teur_Satellites=E2=80=9D_Now_Available_for_New_or_Renewi?= =?utf-8?q?ng_Members?= Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-031.02 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Free Digital Copy of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available for New or Renewing Members SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-031.02 ANS-031.02 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 031.02 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 31, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-031.02 Free Digital Copy of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available for New or Renewing Members The University of Washington's HuskySat-1 CubeSat is scheduled to be deployed from the Cygnus NG-12 spacecraft at 22:30 UTC today. HuskySat-1 carries an AMSAT VHF/UHF linear transponder that will be made available for amateur use following its primary mission to test a pulsed plasma thruster and experimental K band (24 GHz) communications system. While the satellite completes it's scientific mission, check out the best resource for learning how to work through linear transponder sat- ellites (and other types of amateur satellites). For a limited time, AMSAT is making the ?Getting Started With Amateur Satellites? book available as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out AMSAT?s other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag. Be sure to view your cart before going to checkout. If you add a membership and then go directly to checkout, you?ll never see an option to add your free gift. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Feb 2 00:22:57 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 1 Feb 2020 19:22:57 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-033 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-033 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * HuskySat-1 Deployed, Telemetry Beacon Active * Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Now Available for New or Renewing Members * Joe Spier, K6WAO, Resigns as AMSAT President * Melissa Pore To Be Honored at Hamcation February 2020 * W1ANT Pro Satellite Tracker Announced * AMSAT Argentina Drifting APRS Buoy on 145.825 MHz * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2020 * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Upcoming AMSAT Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-033.01 ANS-033 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 033.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. February 2, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-033.01 HuskySat-1 Deployed, Telemetry Beacon Active The University of Washington's HuskySat-1 CubeSat was deployed from the Cygnus NG-12 spacecraft on Friday, January 31 at approximately 2230 UTC. HuskySat-1's 1,200 bps BPSK beacon is active on 435.800 MHz and is decodable with the latest release of AMSAT's FoxTelem software. HuskySat-1 will be made available for Amateur Radio use following its primary mission to test a pulsed plasma thruster and experimental K band (24 GHz) communications system. HuskySat-1 features a 30 kHz wide 145 to 435 MHz linear transponder for SSB/CW: HuskySat-1 - Uplink: 145.910 - 145.940 MHz LSB/CW - Downlink: 435.840 - 435.810 MHz USB/CW (inverting) - Telemetry: 435.800 MHz 1K2 bps BPSK 24049.00 MHz (U of Washington experimental downlink) The TLE as of January 31, 2020 at 2339Z are: HuskySat-1 1 99934U 1001D 20031.87746807 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 13 2 99934 51.5569 307.6644 0013532 287.5589 72.3913 15.32433103 16 The latest version of FoxTelem software to decode the 1200 bps BPSK beacon is available at: https://www.amsat.org/tlm The Fox-In-A-Box FoxTelem software has been updated for HuskySat-1 Operation at it's download website: http://burnsfisher.com/AMSAT/FoxInABox [ANS thanks Jerry Buxton, N?JY AMSAT Vice President - Engineering for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Now Available for New or Renewing Members While the HuskySat-1 completes it's scientific mission, check out the best resource for learning how to work through linear transponder satellites (and other types of amateur satellites). For a limited time, AMSAT is making the "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book available as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out AMSAT's other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag. Be sure to view your cart before going to checkout. If you add a membership and then go directly to checkout, you'll never see an option to add your free gift. If you have trouble selecting your free gift, please see this YouTube video to see the steps necessary. https://youtu.be/oRqk5Am-UzE [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Joe Spier, K6WAO, Resigns as AMSAT President Joe Spier, K6WAO, has tendered his resignation as AMSAT President, citing personal reasons. Spier had served as AMSAT's President since October 2017. Prior to his tenure as President, Spier served as AMSAT's Executive Vice President and Vice President - Educational Relations. He also served as an AMSAT News Service Editor and as a member of the ARISS Education Team. Under the AMSAT bylaws, Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, assumes the office of President until the next meeting of the Board of Directors. Stoetzer said "I want to thank Joe for his many years of service to AMSAT in a variety of roles. I especially want to recognize his efforts to mark AMSAT's 50th Anniversary with special events at the Dayton Hamvention and AMSAT Symposium. His leadership in bringing together a variety of figures from the history of amateur radio in space in Arlington, VA this past fall helped to make the Symposium a very special event." [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Melissa Pore To Be Honored at HamCation February 2020 Melissa Pore, an ARISS-US Education Committee member, recently earned Orlando HamCation's 2020 Carole Perry Educator of the Year award. She will be feted at their February convention; the award recognizes teachers making outstanding educational contributions. Melissa is an engineering and computer science teacher at Bishop O?Connell High School in Arlington, VA. She led weeks of STEM and radio activities leading up to the school?s 2018 ARISS contact. She heads the school?s engineering and ham radio clubs. At her previous school, she worked with the STMSAT-1 CubeSat project, the first satellite built by elementary school students. She helped staff an ARISS exhibit at the 2019 Space Explorers Education Conference in Houston and will present a workshop there in 2020. At the 2019 Space Port Area Conference for Educators, she received a plaque from the ISS National Lab SSE program citing her ?service, commitment, and desire to push the boundaries of STEM Education.? She brings her students to staff some of ARISS's outreach exhibits, such as a 2019 one at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- W1ANT Pro Satellite Tracker Announced Heimir, W1ANT announces that the Pro version has no ads and adds some features. Most notably the ability to group the satellites. The groups can then be enabled and only satellites from enabled groups will show up in the satellite overview. Other features include: - Get a list of Amateur Radio satellites visible from your current location in the next 24 hours. - Get an overview over their paths from acquisition to loss of signal (AOS to LOS). - Only passes above the minimum elevation are shown on the list. - Select one of them and get information on their on-board radios. - Select one of their radios and be able to point your phone directly at it so you can easily operate it. - Extra information, i.e. the actual frequencies to use for uplink and downlink is also presented taken the Doppler effect into account. Get full information on the app at the Google Play Store. [ANS thanks Heimir Thor Sverrisson, W1ANT for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Argentina Drifting APRS Buoy on 145.825 MHz On Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 1400 GMT AMSAT Argentina deployed a drifting buoy on South Atlantic Seas that aims to transmit APRS on the satellite packet frequency of 145.825 MHz. WSPR will also be transmitted. AMSAT Argentina reports the APRS beacon, callsign LU7AA-11, will initially be on Argentina's APRS frequency of 144.930 MHz but will change frequency to 145.825 MHz so that it can be digipeated by the amateur packet radio satellites. The WSPR beacon will run 900 mW on 14095.6 kHz with the call sign LU7AA. Release will be 100 km offshore Mar del Plata coast, seeking east aiming currents/winds. The objective is to track sea currents tracking and HF/VHF/SAT QRPp propagation tests. AMSAT Argentina, LU7AA, will appreciate WSPR stations receiving/reporting 20M. Further information and pictures at http://amsat.org.ar?f=buoy [ANS thanks AMSAT Argentina 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Awards-Endorsements for February 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period January 1, 2020 through February 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! KO4MA 1701 1750 WA5KBH 744 759 KE4AL 602 625 WD9EWK (DM43) 597 600 K0FFY 260 576 N1AIA 257 494 G0ABI 320 453 AB5SS 306 411 AD0HJ 375 405 AC9E 353 401 W5TD 392 396 K5IX 350 375 MI6GTY 354 360 W7JSD 336 355 PS8ET 326 350 ND0C 250 301 KJ4EU 206 261 KC9UQR 196 240 W4DTA 180 217 N9FN 194 207 N0RSR 154 200 VE1VOX 155 157 PU4JOE 101 150 WA9JBQ 125 150 K5ZM 101 135 S57NML 100 126 KN6DBC New 125 AB4GE 100 122 XQ3SA New 114 KE0WPA New 108 RA3S New 107 EA2AA New 101 W4ZXT New 100 WR0H New 100 If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at @.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 Shorts - Feb 15 CN78 ADODX FM and Linear (@ad0dx) - Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) + SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020 Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KE9AJ. There is a possibility that Joe may have to make a pit stop in EM54 and EM53 on his way down South on February 1. Monitor Twitter for updates. + Antigua (FK97) February 2 ? 9, 2020 Mel, W8MV, will be in Antigua 2-9 February. Mel is waiting for his operating license. Will update as soon as it arrives. FM only. QSL via LOTW. + Key West and Boca Grande Key (EL94, EL84+) February 9-11,2020 Clayton, W5PFG, will be in Key West, Florida (EL94) February 9 through the 11, 2020. Monday, February 10, 13:15-17:30 UTC, Clayton will operate FM & SSB satellites from EL84xm, Boca Grande Key. Listen for W5PFG near these dates for additional Florida grids such as EL79, EL89, EL99, EL86, EL96, & EL95. Keep an eye on Clayton?s Twitter feed for further announcements https://twitter.com/w5pfg + Isla Perez, Mexico (EL52, EL50, EL51) February 11 ? 17, 2020 Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla Perez, Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Rey/XE1SRD and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). QSL via XE1SY. Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he doing CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm from EL51. + Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] + DX Satellite Operations on QO-100 Matteo, IZ4YGS will be QRV as 9G5GS from Sanzule, Ghana from February 1 - 26. He plans some activity on Satellite QO-100. QSL direct to home call. Special event station II3BIA will be QRV from February 1 - 29 during the Biathlon World Championships 2020 being held in Antholz. Activity includes possible activity on Satellite QO-100. QSL via IN3ZWF. [ANS thanks ARRL DX News for the above information.] + FJ, ST. BARTHEMELY. Operators Pat/N2IEN, Lee/WW2DX, Rock/WW1X and Ray/W2RE will be active as FJ/N2IEN, FJ/WW2DX, FJ/WW1X and FJ/W2RE respectively from St. Barthemely (NA-146) between February 15-22. Activity will be holiday style on various HF (160-6m)/VHF/UHF bands using CW, SSB, RTTY and satellites. QSL via their home call signs. [ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin for the above information.] + ZS95SARL celebrates the 95th anniversary of the South African Radio League, founded in May 1925 as South African Radio Relay League(renamed after WW II). QRV during the whole year on HF, VHF, UHF and via satellites. QSL via bureau. [ANS thanks the DARC DX Newsletter for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming AMSAT Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through Amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: - February 7-9, 2020, Hamcation, Orlando, FL - February 14-15, 2020, Yuma Hamfest and ARRL Southwest Division Convention, Yuma, AZ - February 15, 2020, Cabin Fever Reliever Hamfest, Saint Cloud, MN - March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX - March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ - March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN - March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ - March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ - March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA - May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ - May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ - May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH - June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF-TEE satellite recently reached a major milestone when prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time. Help support AMSAT's path back to HEO by donating today! https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News + Upcoming School Contacts Possible Russian supported contact with Ecuador, via TBD. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka Contact possibly is go for Friday, February 7, 2020 UTC. + ARISS congratulations Satoshi 7M3TJZ who has now mentored 138 schools. + The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact: South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts from All Over + AMSAT-Spain Readies Two Satellites The Hades and EASAT-2 PocketQubes from AMSAT-Spain will carry VHF/UHF linear transponders and analog and digital two-way communications capability, including store-and-forward. Launch is planned for late 2020. More information is available at https://amsat-ea.org [ANS thanks AMSAT-EA for the above information.] + Training course: Product Assurance in ESA projects for SMEs On March, 31 to April 1, 2020 the European Space Agency invites participants interested in either Hardware or Software Product Assurance (PA) to join its specialists for a two-day training session at ESA/ESTEC (Noordwijk, The Netherlands). The course aims at providing SME participants with an overview of the PA tasks to be performed throughout a project. While a generic overview of Product Assurance tasks is provided to all participants on day 1, day 2 treats Hardware and Software PA aspects in more detail. Participants choose either the Hardware PA or Software PA module, depending on their needs and interests. More information and registration is available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-033-ESA-PA [ANS thanks the ESA 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Wed Feb 5 15:00:57 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Wed, 5 Feb 2020 07:00:57 -0800 Subject: [ans] ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, Elected AMSAT President Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-036 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, Elected AMSAT President SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-036 ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 036.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE February 5, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-036.01 Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, Elected AMSAT President At a special meeting held via teleconference, the AMSAT Board of Directors elected Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, President. Coleman previous- ly served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2017-2019 and also served as AMSAT's Secretary during this time. He has also volun- teered in several other capacities for AMSAT, including chairing the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium held aboard the cruise ship Carnival Liberty. Coleman?s first introduction to amateur radio in space was with SAREX and Mir. An interest in setting up an AX.25 BBS and nodes led to him trying out the Mir Personal Message System (PMS) and digipeater to make contacts in the early 1990s. It wasn?t until a visit from a friend in 2011 that Coleman was bitten by the OSCAR bug and began his AMSAT journey chasing operating awards. Having held other leadership roles in his community, nonprofits, and critical infrastructure, Coleman?s desire is working with constituents to improve organizational processes and align them with strategic goals. Professionally, Coleman works in the industrial process con- trol sector as both a consultant and business development manager. He resides in the North Texas area with his spouse and two children. AMSAT members will have the opportunity to meet Coleman at the Orlando HamCation on Saturday, February 8th. He will hold a meet and greet at the AMSAT booth from 9:30am-10:30am and 2:00pm-3:00pm. He will also make remarks at the AMSAT Forum, which will be held at 12:30pm Satur- day in Room CS III at the Lakeside Pavilion. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors and AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun Feb 9 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2020 18:00:00 -0600 Subject: [ans] ANS-040 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-040 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, Elected AMSAT President * Phoenix CubeSat Upcoming Deployment * New ISS Tour Video Goes Inside Cygnus NG-12 * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * HuskySat-1 Gains Enthusiastic Following * Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Proposes amsatLink Project * 10 US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process * AMSAT at Yuma (Arizona) Hamfest, 14-15 February 2020 * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-040.01 ANS-040 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 040.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 Feb 09 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-040.01 Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, Elected AMSAT President At a special meeting held via teleconference, the AMSAT Board of Directors elected Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, President. Coleman previous- ly served as a member of the Board of Directors from 2017-2019 and also served as AMSAT's Secretary during this time. He has also volun- teered in several other capacities for AMSAT, including chairing the 2016 AMSAT Space Symposium held aboard the cruise ship Carnival Liberty. Coleman?s first introduction to amateur radio in space was with SAREX and Mir. An interest in setting up an AX.25 BBS and nodes led to him trying out the Mir Personal Message System (PMS) and digipeater to make contacts in the early 1990s. It wasn?t until a visit from a friend in 2011 that Coleman was bitten by the OSCAR bug and began his AMSAT journey chasing operating awards. Having held other leadership roles in his community, nonprofits, and critical infrastructure, Coleman?s desire is working with constituents to improve organizational processes and align them with strategic goals. Professionally, Coleman works in the industrial process con- trol sector as both a consultant and business development manager. He resides in the North Texas area with his spouse and two children. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors and AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Phoenix CubeSat Upcoming Deployment Several CubeSats are scheduled to be deployed from the ISS into orbit on 12 Feb. Among them is the Phoenix CubeSat, which is a 3U CubeSat developed by Arizona State University to study the effects of Urban Heat Islands through infrared remote sensing. Following deployment, the Phoenix operations team would appreciate as much help as possible with identifying the spacecraft and verifying that it is operational. Phoenix is scheduled for a deployment time of *8:30 UTC* on 12 Feb. Please note that two CubeSats being deployed on this date operate on the same frequency. Both Phoenix and QARMAN share the frequency of *437.35 MHz*, and both utilize an AX.25 9600 baud protocol with GMSK modulation. Both CubeSats will also be deployed within 1.5 hours of each other, and will therefore be close to each other in orbit. Please be mindful of this situation, and if you have any doubt about the Cube- Sat that you are receiving, please get in touch with Sarah Rogers, Project Manager, Phoenix CubeSat, sroger13 [at} asu.edu with any ques- tions or concerns. To read more about the Phoenix CubeSat, it's transmitter characteris- tics, and how you can decode the signal, please see the website at http://phxcubesat.asu.edu/content/amateur-operations! [ANS thanks Sarah Rogers, KI7OOY, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- New ISS Tour Video Goes Inside Cygnus NG-12 A video by astronauts Luca Parmitano and Andrew Morgan posted on the European Space Agency YouTube channel on January 26th, 2020 shows Luca going inside the Cygnus NG-12 vehicle, which took cargo, as well as several satellites, including HuskySat-1, to the ISS. Even more relevant to HuskySat-1 and the the amateur radio satellite community, Luca mentions the "delivery system" they planned to install on the vehicle before it was released, which happened on January 31st. HuskySat-1 was deployed from the delivery system later that day. Luca says he thinks it's really cool that the delivery system provides another way to gain access to space, and I couldn't agree more. The Cygnus tour begins at 24:42 into the video, and the delivery system is mentioned at 26:57. This link to the video goes directly to 24:42: https://youtu.be/Snn1k_qEx20?t=1482 [ANS thanks John Brier, KG4AKV, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution The following satellite's NORAD CAT ID has been changed in this week's AMSAT TLE distribution: OCULUS-ASR is now object NORAD CAT ID 44348 The following satellites have been deleted from this week's AMSAT TLE distribution: OBJECT H - NORAD CAT ID 44346 (non-amateur satellite TEPCE, decayed February 1,2020) OBJECT J - NORAD CAT ID 44347 (non-amateur satellite FALCONSAT-7) TBEX-A - NORAD CAT ID 44356 (non-amateur satellite) The following Amateur Radio satellite has been added to this week's TLE distribution: HuskySat 1 - NORAD CAT ID 45117 (Cygnus NG-12 Spacecraft deployment, 1/31/2020). (Thanks to Nico Janseen, PA0DLO, for satellite identification.) [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- HuskySat-1 Gains Enthusiastic Following Initial reports indicate considerable interest among amateurs in tracking and capturing data from the newly deployed HuskySat-1. The satellite, designed at the University of Washington, was launched to the ISS by Cygnus NG-12 on November 2, 2019. It was deployed to a higher orbit from the ISS by Cygnus on January 31, and began telemetry transmissions on 435.800 MHz. HuskySat-1?s 1,200 bps BPSK beacon is active and decodable with the latest release of AMSAT?s FoxTelem software. FoxTelem is available at https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem HuskySat-1 is a CubeSat, and will demonstrate onboard plasma propul- sion and high gain telemetry for low Earth orbit that would be a pre- cursor for an attempt at a larger CubeSat designed for orbital inser- tion at the Moon. HuskySat-1 is expected to carry out its primary mission before being turned over to AMSAT for activation of a 30 kHz wide V/U linear trans- ponder for SSB and CW. Initially it looked like object 2019-071G was HuskySat-1, but our friends at the 18th Space Control Squadron published data on addi- ional objects in recent days, and there is considerable evidence suggesting that HuskySat-1 is actually one of those instead. Element sets for objects 2019-071H and 2019-071J are now distributed in nasabare.txt as candidates for the "Real" HuskySat-1. Usually element sets are good for a week or more, at least for ham purposes where we have fairly wide beam widths. The exception is the ISS, the only spacecraft we have in nasabare.txt that maneuvers, and we keep its element sets "fresh" by applying updates from Johnson Spaceflight Center several times per day. Husky-Sat 1 will be testing a thruster early in its mission, and endeavors to demonstrate a delta- V of 100m/sec or more. This could cause the accuracy of element sets to degrade more quickly than usual. [ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT IT Team Leader for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Proposes amsatLink Project amsatLink is a proposed three-phased program to ultimately establish a constellation of nanosatellites, linked in a peer-to-peer voice commun- ications network for amateur satellite service. As a wireless ad hoc network, future satellites can be added to the network and ground stations, moving in and out of a nanosatellite node?s footprint, can easily join and exit the network. The proposal is to create an IEEE 802.11 wireless ad hoc network, op- erating within the FCC Part 97 amateur radio frequency allocation of the 2.4 GHz microwave band. Individual satellite and ground nodes would connect directly, dynamically, and non-hierarchically to as many other nodes as possible and cooperate with one another to create one virtual network that can efficiently route data from/to clients. While the idea of cross-link communication between satellites is not new, amsatLink hopes to continue the efforts of NASA?s PhoneSat, EDSN constellation, and NODES missions, by expanding the network to include ground-based nodes, demonstrating the use of voice over internet pro- tocol communications, and organizing nodes into clusters, where each cluster consists of one nanosatellite node and any visible ground nodes. amsatLink will continue NASA?s design philosophy by utilizing commer- cial-off-the-shelf hardware and keeping the design and mission objec- tives as simple as possible. Estimated total hardware cost per satel- lite is less than $5,000. Proposed ground stations will also use off the shelf equipment with a total estimated cost of less than $150. For more details, see https://ke4al.github.io/amsatLink/ Robert seeks further discussion of this proposal among AMSAT members. [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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ --------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 US Schools Moved Forward in ARISS Selection Process Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the schools and host organizations selected for the second half of 2020. Of the proposals submitted during the recent proposal window, 10 were accepted to move forward in the selection process for a scheduled amateur radio contact with a crew member on the ISS. The primary goal of the ARISS program is to engage young people in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) activities and raise their awareness of space communications, radio communications, space exploration, and related areas of study and career possibilities. The schools and host organizations are now engaged in the next step of the acceptance process. When ready, they will be put in the scheduling queue for a contact during the July to December 2020 time period. Al- though ARISS expects to schedule all 10 during this period, changes to NASA crew availability might force some delays to the next time period. The schools and host organizations are: Estes Park Elementary School Estes Park, CO Green Bank Elementary School Green Bank, WV Tecumseh Public School Tecumseh, OK RSU #21 Kennebunk, ME JFK High School Denver, CO Oregon Charter School Mill City, OR Newcastle High School Newcastle, WY Tarwater Elementary School Chandler, AZ Kopernik Observatory Vestel, NY Salem-South Lyon District Library South Lyon, MI [ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS PR, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT at Yuma (Arizona) Hamfest, 14-15 February 2020 AMSAT will be at the Yuma Hamfest, which is also serving as the 2020 ARRL Southwestern Division Convention, on Friday and Saturday, 14-15 February 2020. The hamfest will be at the Yuma County Fairgrounds, along 32nd Street, across the street from Yuma International Airport and Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, south of Interstate 8. More about the hamfest is available at: http://www.yumahamfest.org/ WD9EWK will be on the satellites during the hamfest, demonstrating satellite operating. If you hear WD9EWK on a pass, please call and join in the demonstration. The hamfest site is in grid DM22, in Arizona's Yuma County. QSOs made during the hamfest will be uploaded to Logbook of the World, and QSL cards are available on request (please e-mail WD9EWK directly with the QSO details). Patrick will tweet updates from the hamfest using the @WD9EWK Twitter account. If you do not use Twitter, you can see the tweets in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK In addition to the WD9EWK demonstration, AMSAT member Dave Bartholomew, AD7DB, will give a presentation "Getting Started on FM Satellites" on Saturday (15 February) morning at the hamfest. Dave's presentation is scheduled for 10:20 a.m. [ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: February 14-15, 2020, Yuma Hamfest and ARRL Southwest Division Convention, Yuma, AZ (see details above) February 15, 2020, Cabin Fever Reliever Hamfest, Saint Cloud, MN March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX March 14-15, 2020, Science City, University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 21, 2020, Scottsdale (AZ) Amateur Radio Club Hamfest March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Assn. Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download: AMSAT Intro Brochure. This color brochure is designed to be printed double- sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Satellite Shorts Feb 15 CN78 ADODX FM and Linear (@ad0dx) Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) #SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020 Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KE9AJ Key West and Boca Grande Key (EL94, EL84+) February 9-11,2020 Clayton, W5PFG, will be in Key West, Florida (EL94) February 9 through the 11, 2020. Monday, February 10, 13:15-17:30 UTC, Clay- ton will operate FM & SSB satellites from EL84xm, Boca Grande Key. Listen for W5PFG near these dates for additional Florida grids, such as EL79, EL89, EL99, EL86, EL96, & EL95. Keep an eye on Clay- ton?s Twitter feed for announcements https://twitter.com/w5pfg Del Carmen Island (EK48cp) February 9, 2020 Ismael, XE1AY, will operate from Del Carmen Island (DL87th) on Sun- day 9 February, using the callsign 4A2L (see QRZ). Ismael only expects to operate FM satellites for a couple of hours. In addi- tion, they plan to operate CW, SSB, and FT8. Isla Perez, Mexico (EL52, EL50, EL51) February 11 ? 17, 2020 Members of Radio Club Puebla DX will be active as 6F3A from Isla Perez, Mexico, between February 11-17. The operators mentioned are Patricia/XE1SPM (Team Leader), Ismael/XE1AY, Eduardo/XE2YW and Ricardo/XE1SY. Activity will be on 80/40/20/17/15/12/10/6 meters, and include the ARRL DX CW Contest (February 15-16). QSL via XE1SY. Ismael, XE1AY, reports that he doing CW and the satellites, and will also TX from EL50 and XE1AY/mm from EL51. Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services, for the above information] Operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station between now and March 28th. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut, Canada. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) 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 [ANS thanks The Ohio/Penn Dx Bulletin for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + After setting a record for the longest single spaceflight in history by a woman, NASA astronaut Christina Koch returned to Earth on Feb. 6, along with Soyuz Commander Alexander Skvortsov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos and Luca Parmitano of the European Space Agency. Koch launched March 14, 2019. Her first journey into space of 328 days is the second-longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astro- naut and also places her seventh on the list of cumulative time in space for American astronauts. Full story: https://bit.ly/386BTrc (ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information) + SpaceX has been garnering all the headlines when it comes to satel- lite constellations. Their Starlink system will eventually have thou- sands of tiny satellites working together to provide internet access. But on Thursday, Feb. 6, OneWeb launched 34 satellite from the Bai- konur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on a Soyuz launch vehicle. Eventually, OneWeb intends to have as many as 5,000 satellites in orbit. (ANS thank universetoday.com for the above information) + An industry report forecasts demand for 14,000 to 20,000 new satel- lites to be launched in the next decade. The report suggests that launch slot availability will be a challenge for satellite operators, and that delays due to longer lead times and additional costs will put pressure on research, commercial, and military operators. (ANS thanks satmagazine.com for the above information) + NASA declared the Spitzer Space Telescope?s 16-year mission complete on Thursday, Jan. 30 after sending final commands for the spacecraft to enter hibernation as it drifts farther from Earth. The Spitzer Space Telescope, one of NASA?s original four ?Great Observatories,? studied the most distant galaxy ever observed in the universe, gathered data on the characteristics of planets around other stars, and detected a new ring around Saturn. (ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information) + Finnish amateur photographers have discovered a new auroral form. Named 'dunes' by the hobbyists, the phenomenon is believed to be caused by waves of oxygen atoms glowing due to a stream of particles released from the Sun. In the study, published in the journal AGU Advances, the origins of the dunes were tracked to a wave guide formed within the mesosphere and its boundary, the mesopause. (ANS thanks astrowatch.net for the above information) + The JAMSAT general meeting and space symposium will take place at the Tokyo, Odaiba, Science Museum on March 14 and 15. (ANS thanks JAMSAT for the above information) + Bob Atkins KA1GT has documented his recent observations of interfer- ence to 1296 EME from the Galileo navigation satellites' E6 mode. Read Bob's article at https://bobatkins.com/radio/galileo-1296.html (ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information) + Minutes of the 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors meeting are now avail- able at https://www.amsat.org/minutes-of-the-board-of-directors/ The December 2018 Annual Financial Review report is also now avail- able at https://www.amsat.org/audit-and-other-financial-reports/ (ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, K0JM at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Feb 16 00:00:08 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 16:00:08 -0800 Subject: [ans] ANS-047 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins In-Reply-To: null Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-047 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT-OSCAR 85 Declared End of Mission * HuskySat-1 Update * Update from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG * Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Available for New or Renewing Members * Apogee View - January/February 2020 * 5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Satellites * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 13, 2020 * Upcoming ARISS Contacts * Upcoming AMSAT Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-047.01 ANS-047 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 047.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE February 16, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-047.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF-TEE satellite recently reached a major milestone when prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time. Help support AMSAT's path back to HEO by donating today! https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT-OSCAR 85 Declared End of Mission After a long decline in the health of its batteries, AO-85 has gone silent. Having not been heard throughout the most recent period of full illumination, it is reasonable to believe the batteries have deteriorated to the point of no longer being able to power the trans- mitter. Should some future event cause a cell to open, it is possible the satellite may be heard again, but for now it is time to declare end-of-mission. AO-85 was conceived as the first AMSAT cubesat, and was designed to be a successor to the popular AO-51 microsat. Accepted into the NASA CubeSat Launch Initative in February 2012, AO-85 was launched October 8, 2015. AO-85's success led to further Fox satellites AO-91, AO-92, AO-95, and RadFxSat2 / Fox-1E which will be launched later this year. The Fox-1E transponder was also spun off into a radio system now in orbitonboard HuskySat-1, and soon to be in several other university cubesats. Development continues on GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1, which will include a legacy V/u linear transponder and a SDR-based multiband uplink and 10 GHz downlink radio system. Your continued support of AMSAT by member- ship and donations will help us Keep Amateur Radio in Space. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice President - Operations 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ HuskySat-1 Update Students in the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington have been celebrating successes since HuskySat-1, a student built sat- ellite weighing about 9 lbs, deployed into space on Friday, January 31st: ? After being deployed, HuskySat turned on, deployed the antennas on the first attempt, and start transmitting in a designated "safe mode". ? On the first active pass over Seattle, just 2 hours after deploy- ment, students used the UW ground station to command the satellite to change operational modes. ? With help from AMSAT and the network of amateurs across the globe, the HuskySat team has been able to closely track the health of the satellite. Health data includes temperatures, battery charge state, and solar panel charging. ? Over the weekend, the camera payload took and transmitted the first pictures from space! The camera included collaboration with Raisbeck Aviation High School and nonprofit Quick2Space. Commissioning of the satellite systems is still underway. The sat- ellite has actually been in space inside a Nanoracks deployer since launch on Nov 2nd. The main research goal of satellite is to demon- strate the new propulsion and communication technologies on the sat- ellite. At the completion of the research phase, the satellite will be utilized as an amateur transponder. The mission of the UW program, housed in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences, is to foster interdisciplinary student participation in space systems research, to inspire and train future space scien- tists and engineers, and to advance spacecraft capabilities at the University of Washington. On February 15th, AMSAT Vice President - Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, hosted a Twitch stream to discuss the AMSAT Linear Transponder Module (LTM-1) and HuskySat-1. You can see a replay of the livestream at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/552209241 [ANS thanks Paige Northway of the HuskySat-1 team and Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT Vice President - Engineering, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Update from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG I am humbled by the greetings and congratulatory messages received over the past ten days since becoming the President of AMSAT. Please join me in expressing gratitude to our immediate past president Joe Spier, K6WAO, for his dedication to AMSAT?s mission of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. It was a pleasure to speak with many of our members at the Orlando Hamcation last weekend. Attending Hamcation afforded me the opportun- ity to meet with many of our volunteers and reach out to other organi- zations in amateur radio such as the ARRL and the Dayton Amateur Radio Association. My priority, now underway, is to ensure all Directors have equal access to AMSAT resources to perform their duties. AMSAT complies with Section 29-413.05 of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act of 2010. Most of the information Directors use to perform their duties are already publicly available on the Internet on our website, published in the AMSAT News Service (ANS), and often in print as part of The AMSAT Journal. These resources are not password protected and can be viewed by members and non-members alike. Once I?ve had an opportunity to speak individually with the Directors, I will convene a Board of Directors teleconference to address out- standing business. At any time, three Directors may call on the Pres- ident to schedule a Board of Directors meeting, per our bylaws Article II, Section 5, Paragraph A. 73, Clayton W5PFG AMSAT President [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Avail- able for New or Renewing Members While HuskySat-1 completes it's scientific mission, check out the best resource for learning how to work through linear transponder sat- ellites (and other types of amateur satellites). For a limited time, AMSAT is making the "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book available as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out AMSAT's other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag. Be sure to view your cart before going to checkout. If you add a membership and then go directly to checkout, you'll never see an option to add your free gift. If you have trouble selecting your free gift, please see this YouTube video to see the steps necessary. https://youtu.be/oRqk5Am-UzE [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Apogee View - January/February 2020 Happy New Year! 2020 promises to be an exciting year filled with new satellites to work and significant progress towards our next genera- tion of satellites. By the time you read this, HuskySat-1 should be in orbit and completing its science mission before being turned over to AMSAT for amateur radio use. I want to congratulate all those involved with this project both at the University of Washington and on AMSAT?s Engineering and Operations teams who worked to make this mutually beneficial partnership happen. More details about HuskySat-1 and our partnership with the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washing- ton can be found elsewhere in the January/February 2020 issue of The AMSAT Journal. While we look forward to the completion of HuskySat-1's primary miss- ion, we also await the launch of the final Fox-1 satellite, RadFxSat-2 / Fox-1E, which is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than the first quarter of this year on the ELaNa XX mission. The ELaNa XX miss- ion will fly on the second flight of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne ve- hicle. As the Fox project wraps up its series of five 1U CubeSats, progress continues on GOLF, the next generation of AMSAT satellites. A group of GOLF-TEE (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint ? Technology Evaluation En- vironment) satellite prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time on Tuesday, January 14th. During the test, the boards were laid out on a bench as a "flat-sat" with interconnecting wires, bench power supplies, and a dummy load on the transmitter. The inter- connected boards included: ? An early RT-IHU (Radiation Tolerant Internal Housekeeping Unit - i.e., computer) prototype, ? A CIU (Control Interface Unit) prototype, and ? A set of spare boards from HuskySat-1 that act as prototypes for the LIHU (Legacy IHU) and legacy VHF/UHF RF components. Now that the team has reached this point, AMSAT Engineering has RF to use as a basis for developing a GOLF-TEE decoder for FoxTelem, our ground telemetry receiver software. Thousands of hours of work by many AMSAT volunteers have gone into the hardware and software that got us this far, with much work yet to be done before the assembly of flight units. The GOLF-TEE satellite is designed as a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to a wide variety of orbits, including MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) and HEO (High Earth Orbit). The work on GOLF is intended for our CubeSat missions to higher orbits. However, much as the Fox-1E linear transponder was adapted as a payload for HuskySat-1, components developed for GOLF, such as the RT-IHU and the microwave SDR transponder, can be adapted to serve as the basis for a hosted payload on a commercial or government sat- ellite in geostationary orbit or perhaps an educational CubeSat des- tined for MEO or GTO. Should an opportunity arise, the work being done on GOLF means that we will be ready to build such a hosted payload. While we continue our work on these satellites, we face the prospect of regulatory roadblocks. Last year, we submitted comments on the Federal Communication Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking re- garding the mitigation of orbital debris. The proposed rules as worded would severely limit the type of missions AMSAT could pursue. While the Commission has not yet issued final rules, we are hopeful that the near-unanimous opposition of commenters to the more harmful as- pects of the rules, such as the requirement for satellite operators to indemnify the United States Government for any potential claims regarding their satellites, will limit the negative impact. Another serious concern is our access to spectrum. While international threats that arose in the months before the 2019 World Radiocommunica- tion Conference to the 144 MHz ? 146 MHz and 1260 MHz ? 1270 MHz ama- teur satellite service bands have subsided for the time being, other threats appear on the horizon. This past December, the FCC issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would delete the amateur alloca- tion at 3.3 GHz ? 3.5 GHz, including the amateur satellite service allocation at 3.4 GHz ? 3.41 GHz. While that band has not yet been used for any amateur satellites as it is not available in ITU Region 3 (Asia & Oceania), it is still a potentially useful resource for a future amateur geostationary payload over the Americas. Additionally, we know that many AMSAT members also use this band for other purposes, such as mesh networking, contesting, and EME commun- ications. Access to microwave spectrum is crucial for many of our planned activities, including GOLF and amateur radio on the Lunar Gateway, and we must vigorously defend our spectrum allocations. AMSAT is currently drafting comments opposing this proposed rule, and, working alongside the ARRL, we continue to monitor potential legis- lative and regulatory actions that could limit or even preclude some of our current and planned activities. On a final note, I wanted to let the membership know that AMSAT's ser- vers will be migrating to a new operating system and a new hosting service later this year. This is necessary as the operating system currently running AMSAT's servers will reach its end of life in Nov- ember. While AMSAT's capable IT team led by Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, will do their best to minimize any disruptions to AMSAT services, this type of transition can often result in unforeseen problems. Continue to monitor the AMSAT-BB and AMSAT's Twitter and Facebook accounts for any updates. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Satellites The DX Engineering blog On All Bands recently published an article en- titled "5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Sat- ellites" by Sean Kutzko, KX9X. The article can be found at: https://www.onallbands.com/ham-radio-satellite-operating-etiquette/ [ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and DX Engineering for the above infor- mation] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 13, 2020 The following Amateur Radio satellite's name and NORAD CAT ID have been changed: 1. HuskySat 1 satellite name is now HuskySat-1. 2. Based on changes in Space-Track TLE data, HuskySat-1's new NORAD CAT ID is now object 45119. (Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, for satellite identification.) [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contacts Maple Dale Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH, direct via K8SCH The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA Contact is go for: Thu 2020-02-20 18:20:28 UTC 48 deg 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 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. All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601 and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS [ANS thanks Charlie Sulfana, AJ9N, ARISS Operations, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming AMSAT Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: + March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX + March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ + March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN + March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ + March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ + March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA + May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ + May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ + May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH + June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-Hamfest This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv- ices, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Satellite Shorts Feb 13-16 DM22 AD7DB and N7JY FM Feb 15 CN78 ADODX FM and Linear (Twitter @ad0dx) Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) #SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020 Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KE9AJ St. Barthelemy Island (FK87) February 15-22, 2020 Operators Pat/N2IEN, Ray/W2RE, Rockwell/WW1X, and Lee/WW2DX will be signing FJ/homecalls from St. Barthelemy (NA-146) between Feb. 15 and 22. QRV holiday-style on 160 to 6m and via satellite on CW, SSB, and digital modes. QSL cards for all calls via NR6M. Vidalia, LA (EM41) February 28 ? March 1, 2020 Brian, KG5GJT, will will be operating from the bank of the Miss- issippi river in Vidalia, La. (EM41), where Jim Bowie was serious- ly wounded in the Sandbar Fight on September 19, 1827. This will be vacation style, so keep an eye on Brian?s Twitter feed for up- dates: https://twitter.com/KG5GJT Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv- ices, for the above information] Operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station between now and March 28th. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut, Canada. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For up- dates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc [ANS thanks The Ohio/Penn Dx Bulletin 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Shorts From All Over + The Nanoracks deployment of several CubeSats has been delayed until no earlier than February 17 due to delays with the launch of Cygnus NG-13. CubeSats scheduled to deploy are RadSat-u, Phoenix, QARMAN, CryoCube, AztechSat-1, SOCRATES, Argus-02, HARP, and SORTIE. + AMSAT-UK OSCAR News Editor Slade Stevens, 2E0SQL, is soliciting articles for the next issue. Send submissions to 2E0SQB at amsat.org + The AMSAT-UK shop is now stocking a 5 watt 2.4 GHz amplifier kit for use with the QO-100 geostationary satellite. For more details, see https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-QO-100 + The first crewed mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon may launch on May 7th. https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-SpaceX + Wouter Weggelaar, PA3WEG, recently released a composite video show- ing all currently orbiting FUNcube family satellites being launched: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdjXzPEsuxw + The EIRSAT-1 CubeSat has passed both environmental and vibration testing: https://twitter.com/EIRSAT1/status/1225810684065259520 + Spaceflight Industries recently signed a deal to sell its satellite rideshare launch business Spaceflight, Inc. to Mitsui & Co., in part- nership with Yamasa Co., Ltd. AMSAT purchased the launches for AO-92 and AO-95 from Spaceflight, Inc. https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-Spaceflight [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun Feb 23 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 22 Feb 2020 18:00:00 -0600 Subject: [ans] ANS-054 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-054 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * QARMAN and Phoenix CubeSats Deployed from ISS * AMSAT Files Comments Opposing Deletion of 3.4 GHz Band * NEMO-1 Buoy Report * GNU Radio Conference - Tickets and Call for Papers * U.S. Naval Academy's PSAT3 Scheduled to Launch in Mid-March * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Available with Membership * ARISS Radio Telebridge Stalwart Gerald Klatzko, ZS6BTD, SK * Upcoming ARISS Contacts * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-054.01 ANS-054 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 054.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 Feb 23 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-054.01 QARMAN and Phoenix CubeSats Deployed from ISS The von Karman Institute in Belgium (VKI) reports the successful de- ployment of the QARMAN satellite from the International Space Station on Wednesday, 19 February. QARMAN is one of several cubesats that were scheduled for deployment this week. Also, Arizona State University reports that its Phoenix CubeSat was successfully deployed from the ISS as scheduled at 9:35 UTC Wednesday. Roughly 30 minutes after deployment, its beacon was heard for the first time at an amateur radio ground station located in Indonesia. VKI also reports successful reception and decoding of telemetry from QARMAN. It is important to note that both of these satellites are using the same frequency, 437.35 MHz, for telemetry transmissions, and that they are in very similar orbits. Both satellites also follow the AX.25 protocol at 9600 baud, with GMSK modulation. It will take some trial and error before each spacecraft?s TLEs can be confirmed. Operators of these satellites are actively seeking observations from amateurs. Please report to: https://community.libre.space/c/satellites-observations ANS is awaiting reports regarding the other satellites that were scheduled for deployment on Wednesday, as listed below: CubeSat Downlink (MHz) Uplink (MHz) Scheduled Deployment Time (UTC) RadSat-u 437.425 437.425 7:10 CryoCube 2261.00 2082.004 12:55 AztechSat-1 437.3 437.3 12:55 SOCRATES 914.7 914.7 14:30 Argus-02 437.29 437.29 16:00 HARP 468.0 450.0 16:00 SORTIE 468.0 450.0 17:40 [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK, VKI, and Arizona State for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Files Comments Opposing Deletion of 3.4 GHz Band AMSAT has filed comments on the Federal Communications Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which proposes to delete the 3.3 - 3.5 GHz (9 cm) amateur band, including the 3.40 - 3.41 GHz amateur sat- ellite service allocation. In the comments, AMSAT opposes the deletion of this allocation and em- phasizes the necessity of adequate microwave spectrum for future ama- teur satellite projects, including AMSAT's GOLF program and the Lunar Gateway. AMSAT further notes that the most desirable allocations for use as up- links are the allocations between 2.4 and 5.67 GHz. These allocations total 80 MHz. The most desirable allocation for downlink use is the 10.45 - 10.50 GHz allocation, totaling 50 MHz. As many of the proposed uses include amateur television and high-speed data transmission with satellites in high earth orbit or lunar orbit, these allocations may quickly become inadequate. AMSAT also notes that the 2.4 and 5.67 GHz allocations are widely used for ISM and consumer devices, such as WiFi and Bluetooth-enabled devices. The 3.4 GHz allocation is shared be- tween amateur use and other non-federal and federal licensees, but is free from the unpredictable interference of consumer devices. While acknowledging that the 3.4 GHz amateur satellite service allo- cation is not currently used by any amateur satellites and that it is unsuitable for worldwide communication since it is not available in ITU Region 1, AMSAT identifies a number of potential future uses for the band as worldwide usage of the other available allocations in- creases. These potential uses include a future amateur satellite in geostationary orbit above the Americas. In the comments, AMSAT also noted several non-amateur satellite uses of the broader 3.3 - 3.5 GHz amateur service allocation, including its wide use in mesh networking, EME communications, and contesting. The full text of the comments as filed can be downloaded at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-054-FCC Interested parties may file reply comments on or before March 22, 2020 at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/ The proceeding is WT Docket No. 19- 348. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, Executive Vice President. for the ab- ove information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NEMO-1 Buoy Report AMSAT ARGENTINA launched the NEMO-1 buoy into the Atlantic sea on Jan- uary 30th at noon, using the callsign LU7AA. It was transported 70 km east of Mar del Plata by the fisherman's ship 'Porte?o', from Sandokan. The buoy, which emits in WSPR mode at 14095.6 KHz and FM VHF in APRS mode, navigated drifting free for 12 days traveling about 1100 kilo- meters, until on February 11th it was sighted and taken out of the water by the tuna vessel 'Juan Pablo II'. The captain of the ship, Rinaldi Yaco, considered that the buoy was sailing semi-sunk and decided to rescue it, informing Amsat Argentina of that event. The NEMO-1 then traveled eight more days aboard the tuna vessel, con- tinuing its mission of data capture and broadcasting, until on Feb-19 it arrived at the port of Mar del Plata, where colleagues from the Mar del Plata Radio Club picked it up and kept in custody. A group of AMSAT-LU is traveling to recover NEMO-1. The buoy will be reconditioned and a new launch is planned. It will be tried to take it, on this occasion, to more than 200 km offshore, so that it will con- tinue to navigate freely, reaffirming the commitment and contribution of radio amateurs to QRPp propagation research also helping navigation and the community. AMSAT ARGENTINA especially thanks the Captains and crews of the 'Porte?o', the 'Juan Pablo II' ships and the Mar del Plata RClub in the persons of its Secretary, Jose Luis Hermida (LU9DHJ) and Jorge Garelli (LU5EOR) for the help provided and to the more than 100 'trav- elers' in NEMO-1, who supported this project helping to carry it out. http://amsat.org.ar?f=ce Adventure photos: http://amsat.org.ar?f=buoy [ANS thanks LU7AA, AMSAT Argentina 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ GNU Radio Conference - Tickets and Call for Papers GNU Radio is used by spacecraft and ground station developers around the world. GRCon is the annual conference for the GNU Radio project and community. GRCon20 will be held September 14-18, 2020 in Charlotte, N.C. The GNU Radio Conference celebrates and showcases the substantial and remarkable progress of the world?s best open source digital signal processing framework for software-defined radios. In addition to pre- senting GNU Radio?s theoretical and practical presence in academia, industry, the military, and among amateurs and hobbyists, GNU Radio Conference 2020 will have a very special focus: Speed, latency, delay, and timing! Enjoy our racing theme throughout the conference, featured in our con- tests and a high-octane Thursday night dinner. Papers and presentations on theme will be recognized at the conference with an award. But wait, there?s more! We?ll be co-located and coordinated with the TAPR Digital Communications Conference. It?s the weekend immediately preceding GRCon20. Find out more at: https://tapr.org/?page_id=68 Registration and an online and mobile-friendly schedule will be posted at https://www.gnuradio.org/grcon/grcon20/ Developers and users from the GNU Radio Community are invited to pre- sent projects, presentations, papers, posters, and problems at GRCon20. Submit talks, demos, and code! Please share this Call widely. To sub- mit your content for the conference, visit the dedicated conference submission site at: https://pretalx.gnuradio.org/grcon20/cfp First round closes 17 April 2020. If accepted, your content will be immediately scheduled. Notifications go out 26 June 2020. Final round closes 1 September 2019. Submissions received between 18 April 2020 and 1 September 2020 are accepted space permitting, and notifications will be sent out on a rolling basis. Those with questions or need assistance with submitting then please write grcon at gnuradio.org [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, AMSAT Board Member, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- U.S. Naval Academy's PSAT3 Scheduled to Launch in Mid-March The U. S. Naval Academy's PSAT3 payload is scheduled to launch in mid- March from the Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska in Kodiak, AK. PSAT3 is functionally equivalent to NO-104 (PSAT2), but does not in- clude PSK31 functionality. It carries a 145.825 MHz APRS digipeater and SSTV downlink capability. PSAT3 will not be a free-flying satellite. It will remain attached to the upper stage of the launch vehicle. Consequently, the mission dur- ation will be limited to a few months, when the rocket body will de- orbit. More information about PSAT3 can be found at http://aprs.org/psat3.html [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, and the IARU for the above infor- mation] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution The following Amateur Radio satellite has been added to this weeks AMSAT TLE Distribution: SwampSat-2 NORAD CAT ID 45115 (Deployed from Northrop Grumman NG-12 Cygnus 2-3-2020.) (Thanks to Nico Janseen, PA0DLO, for satellite identification.) Sadly, AO-85 (Fox-1A) has been declared at end of mission. But, I think I will retain AO-85 in the TLE distribution for a while just in case there are some last comments from our friend. (Remember AO-7?) [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Avail- able for New or Renewing Members While HuskySat-1 completes it's scientific mission, check out the best resource for learning how to work through linear transponder sat- ellites (and other types of amateur satellites). For a limited time, AMSAT is making the "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book available as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out AMSAT's other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag. Be sure to view your cart before going to checkout. If you add a membership and then go directly to checkout, you'll never see an option to add your free gift. If you have trouble selecting your free gift, please see this YouTube video to see the steps necessary. https://youtu.be/oRqk5Am-UzE [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Radio Telebridge Stalwart Gerald Klatzko, ZS6BTD, SK When the International Space Station (ISS) orbit is not favorable for a direct Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) con- tact with a particular school or location scheduled to speak with an astronaut, ARISS radio telebridge stations bridge the gap. Gerald Klatzko, ZS6BTD, of Parklands, South Africa, one of the ?regulars? during the earlier years of the ARISS program, died on February 1 at age 95. Klatzko served as an ARISS radio telebridge station in South Africa for many years until he retired. ARISS telebridge stations establish the direct ham radio link and feed two-way audio into a telebridge line for delivery to the contact site. John Sygo, ZS6JON, described Klatzko as ?always bright and cheerful and a great operator,? who made major contributions to the amateur service. ?He was one of the first to experiment with slow-scan television,? Sygo said. ?For many years, he assisted NASA to link astronauts with their families using amateur radio links from Mir, the Space Shuttle, and the International Space Station. For over 2 decades he was the co- producer and presenter of Amateur Radio Mirror International.? [ANS thanks ARRL 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming ARISS Contacts ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station. A con- tact is scheduled with the Kittredge Magnet School, Atlanta, GA, direct via KQ4KMS. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS, and the scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan, KI5AAA. The contact is go for: Monday, 2020-02-24 at 18:23:55 UTC (31 degrees elevation). A contact is also scheduled with the Celia Hays Elementary School, Rockwall, Texas, direct via W5SO. The ISS callsign is presently sched- uled to be NA1SS, and the scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan, KI5AAA. The contact is go for: Tuesday, 2020-02-25 at 17:35:18 UTC (31 degrees) Watch for live stream at https://live.myvrspot.com/st?cid=NWM5NW The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that 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, of the ARISS operation team for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tuscon March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Arizona March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Assn Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download: AMSAT Intro Brochure. This color brochure is designed to be printed double- sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv- ices, 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 #SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020 Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KE9AJ There is a possibility that Joe may have to make a pit stop in EM54 and EM53 on his way down South on February 1st. Monitor Twitter for updates. Culebra Island, PR (FK78) February 22-23, 2020 Radio Operadores del Este, Inc, KP3E will be returning to Culebra Island February 21-23. Listen for Rafael, KP4RV, on FM satellites. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xSbPgIyhtA&feature=youtu.be Vidalia, LA (EM41) February 28 ? March 1, 2020 Brian, KG5GJT, will will be operating from the bank of the Missis- sippi River in Vidalia, La. (EM41), where Jim Bowie was seriously wounded in the Sandbar Fight on September 19, 1827. This will be vacation style, so keep an eye on Brian?s Twitter feed for updates: https://twitter.com/KG5GJT DN26/36 Mar 14-15 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 #NevadaMayhem part 1: Central Nevada (DM19) March 21, 2020 David, AD7DB, will venture deep into Central Nevada to specifically activate grid DM19 on Saturday March 21. This is actually down a side road from ?The Loneliest Road in America.? Hardly any hams even live in that grid. It?s for sure that few ever activate it. On the way there, Friday March 20, he will try to also activate some or all of: DM06, DM16, DM07, DM08, DM17 and DM18. Going home Sunday March 22, he will try to visit them again. This will be on FM satellites only. Internet and cell coverage may be very poor up there, but for updates check Twitter: https:/twitter.com/ad7db Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv- ices, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Students in the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington have confirmed via their Facebook page that they have been commanding HuskySat-1 to various transmitter power levels and beacon intervals. Some amateurs tracking the bird, which carries a linear transponder to be activated later, had feared that the varying levels were a sign of problems. But this is part of the experimentation. The Husky- Sat team has been providing updates on their operations on their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/UWCubeSat/posts/ You should not need a Facebook account to view that link. (ANS thanks UW CubeSat Team for the above information) + NASA will accept applications for its next astronaut class March 2 to 31. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with a master's degree in a STEM field and two years of relevant professional experience. To sign up, see: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts (ANS thanks NASA HQ News for the above information) + International Astronomical Youth Camp will take place in Spain from 12 July to 1 August 2020. The camp typically hosts around 65 parti- cipants, aged between 16-24 years old. The IAYC?s main aims are to promote knowledge on astronomy and related sciences in a unique, in- ternational atmosphere. Participants work on a research project of their own choosing over the course of the three weeks, culminating in a final report. See https://www.iayc.org/ for details. (ANS thanks Carys Herbert, IAYC Leaderteam, for the above informa- tion) + The ARISS-UK Team have announced that the Electromagnetic Field 2020 event is to host an ARISS contact during the weekend of July 23-26. The event will be held at Easton Manor Deer Park, near Ledbury in Herefordshire, UK. Information and event tickets available at: https://blog.emfcamp.org/2020/02/14/ticket-sales-dates/ (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information) + The maiden flight of the Long March-5B rocket carrying a trial ver- sion of China's new-generation manned spaceship is expected to take place in April, indicating the imminent start of construction of China's space station. The rocket, the prototype core capsule of the space station, and the experimental manned spaceship are undergoing tests at the Wenchang Space Launch Center on the coast of south China's island province of Hainan. https://bit.ly/2VcjXrO (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information) + A new version of the game of "chicken" is evolving in outer space. According to Gen. John Raymond, the U.S. Space Force Chief, Russian "inspector" satellites are threatening the tenuous stand-off stabil- ity between adversarial spacefaring nations. Since Novemeber, the U.S. Space Command has been tracking a satellite known as Cosmos- 2542 which ejected a smaller, nested satellite referred to as Cosmos- 2543. The Russian satellites have been actively maneuvering near USA 245, a classified military imaging satellite. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information) + Amazon has patented a mechanism for throwing satellites into space with a multi-drone-guided whip, mounted on a boat. See details at: https://bit.ly/37KWPmL Note, though, that Amazon (and other tech companies) have a history of patenting things that they?ll never actually build, such as Amazon?s underwater fulfillment centers: https://bit.ly/2Tf7DV9 Has April Fool come early? (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, K0JM at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun Mar 1 00:04:50 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 29 Feb 2020 17:04:50 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-061 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin Message-ID: <001c01d5ef5d$0776c980$16645c80$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-061 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * Upcoming SpaceX CRS-20 Launch * FO-29 Operational Schedule * Georgia Institute of Technology GT-1 To Feature Amateur Radio Robot Operation * K7UAZ Radio Club Helps Prepare Satellite Radio Station for Space Camp at Biosphere 2 * New QO-100 Band Plan Announced * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-061.01 ANS-061 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 061.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 01, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-061.01 Upcoming SpaceX CRS-20 Launch The spouse of ARISS Hardware team member Ed Krome, K9EK, pointed out that the ARISS next generation radio system, the InterOperable Radio System (IORS) is prominently described as a primary payload, not secondary, on the SpaceX CRS-20 mission which will be launched no earlier than March 6, 2020 (ET). The ARISS Team wants to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone that has contributed to helping ARISS realize this major milestone It should be noted that the ARISS hardware team is still very busy on IORS development and final certification. While certified for launch and stowage on ISS, the team is still in deep into the final certification of the IORS for flight operations. Also, the build of the second flight unit is in progress in Florida and in San Diego. While CRS-20 represents the launch of SN 1001, the first flight unit, it also represents the beginning of the "ARISS factory build" and certification of all ten units. The ARISS team also notes that November 13, 2020 will represent the 20th year of ARISS continuous amateur radio operation on ISS! [ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT Vice President, Human Space Flight for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- FO-29 Operational Schedule The operation of Fuji 3 (FO-29) has been unstable, but the transmitter will be turned on in the next pass. Since the date and time are in UTC, add 9 hours to convert to Japan time. The operation is until the UVC (lower limit voltage control) operates. [Scheduled time to turn on the analog transmitter of Fuji 3 (UTC)] March 1 04:00- 14:05 March 2 04:45- 14:55 March 7 03:40- 05:25- 13:50 March 8 04:30- 06:15- 14:40 March 14 04:15- 06:00- 14:25 March 15 03:25- 05:10- 15:15 March 21 03:10- 04:55- 15:00 March 22 04:00- 05:45- 14:05 March 28 03:45- 05:30- 13:50 March 29 04:35- 06:20- 14:40 Because of data acquisition, besides this operation plan, the transmitter may be turned on for a short time. [ANS thanks JARL 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Georgia Institute of Technology GT-1 To Feature Amateur Radio Robot Operation The Glenn Lightsey Research Group, Space Systems Design Lab at the Georgia Institute of Technology is sponsoring a 1U CubeSat mission. The primary function of GT-1 is to be an educational proof of concept and satellite bus demonstrator. It will use this mission as an opportunity for undergraduates to get involved in all parts of a space mission, from design to implementation and sustainment. It will test a prototype deployable antenna and solar panels, which can be used for future missions derived from the same baseline design, and with inclusion of additional experimental equipment. It will operate with AX.25 protocol to collect telemetry data. In partnership with the W4AQL Georgia Tech Amateur Radio Club, the satellite will also host a digital contact ROBOT payload, inspired by the Russian ham satellites RS-12 and RS-13. It will collect QSO information from individuals who contact the ROBOT as it orbits. The satellite will also function as a standard digipeater. Proposing a 9k6 UHF downlink using G3RUH FSK modulation. Planning a JAXA deployment from the ISS in October 2020. A downlink on 437.175 MHz has been coordinated. [ANS thanks IARU for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- K7UAZ Radio Club Helps Prepare Satellite Radio Station for Space Camp at Biosphere 2 In preparation for the upcoming Space Camp at Biosphere 2 , members of the University of Arizona K7UAZ Amateur Radio Club are helping with the placement of an Amateur Radio satellite ground station. The first step was to mount the Yaesu G-5500 az-el rotor system to a Rohn 45 tower. The complete station will include circularly polarized M2 beam antennas for 2m and 70cm, an Icom IC-9700, computers and tracking software. Curt Laumann, K7ZOO, Station Manager for the K7UAZ club reports that Space Camp management is enthusiastic about having UAZ students help with the installation and setup of the station. Student involvement will also include calibrating the rotator system, mapping the artificial horizon for the tracking software and integration and testing the tracking software with the radio. Now in its third year, Space Camp at Biosphere 2 will be held August 3-8, 2020. Space Camp at Biosphere 2 is a joint effort with the University of Arizona Biosphere 2, the Arizona NASA Space Grant Consortium, and the University of Kyoto, Japan. Students attending the camp will experience college-level curriculum and activities focusing on the biological/environmental facets of space travel. More information on Space Camp at Biosphere 2 is available at https://spacegrant.arizona.edu/research/spacecamp [ANS thanks Curt Laumann, K7ZOO 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New QO-100 Band Plan Announced Just in time for the 1-year anniversary of the successful commissioning of the two transponders of Qatar-OSCAR 100, an encore is pending: The capacity of the NB transponder will be expanded from about 250 KHz to almost 500 KHz. In addition to extended areas for the various operating modes, more space is also being created in particular for "mixed mode" and other special operating cases. In addition to frequencies reserved for emergency radio operations, more experiments are to be made possible here. But all this only with a maximum bandwidth of 2.7 kHz. Automatic operation requires a special license from the local licensing authorities and must be coordinated with the operator beforehand; this task is performed by AMSAT-DL on behalf of QARS and Es'hailSat. To take account of user behavior, AMSAT-DL has almost doubled the SSB range in particular. Detailed information is available at https://amsat-dl.org/en/neuer-qo-100-bandplan/ [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News * Upcoming Contacts River Ridge High School, New Port Richey, FL. Direct via WA3YFQ. The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA. The contact is a go for Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 15:17:44 UTC. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Assoc. Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL 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 - Shorts Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) - Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 - #NevadaMayhem part 1: Central Nevada (DM19) March 21, 2020 David, AD7DB, will venture deep into Central Nevada to specifically activate grid DM19 on Saturday March 21. This is actually down a side road from "The Loneliest Road in America." Hardly any hams even live in that grid. It's for sure that few ever activate it. On the way there, Friday March 20, he will try to also activate some or all of: DM06, DM16, DM07, DM08, DM17 and DM18. Going home Sunday, March 22, he will try to visit them again. This will be on FM satellites only. Internet and cell coverage may be very poor up there but for updates check Twitter: https:/twitter.com/ad7db [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts from All Over AMSAT SA Space Symposium Announced * The AMSAT SA Space Symposium will be held on July 11, 2020. Prospective authors are invited to propose papers by submitting a brief synopsis to admin at amsatsa.org.za before Friday, February 28, 2020. While the call for papers is ongoing till the end of February, AMSAT SA is pleased to announce that Burns Fisher WB1FJ, of AMSAT NA will delivery two papers at the symposium: Fox-in-a-box, Fox telemetry reception using an inexpensive Raspberry Pi and a J-pole antenna including a discussion on the optimal positioning for a J-pole antenna for satellite reception and an overview of what is in orbit currently and expected in the near future and their features. More information available at http://www.sarl.org.za/ [ANS thanks SARL for the above information.] * MEMESat-1 Proposed Let's Go to Space, Inc.'s first satellite mission is the Mission for Education and Multimedia Engagement, better known as MEMESat-1. This spacecraft will be a 1U amateur radio CubeSat. It's primary mission is to serve as an FM Repeater and to downlink donor submitted memes via UHF SSTV protocol. MEMESat is also being created to engage people through the sharing of memes from space and help fund small satellite focused research. More information available at https://letsgo2space.com/memesat-1-3/ [ANS thanks Michael Frazier, KJ5Z for the above information.] * Two Commercial Satellites Link Up for First Time A Northrop Grumman robotic servicing spacecraft has hooked up with an aging Intelsat communications satellite more than 22,000 miles over the Pacific Ocean, accomplishing the first link-up between two commercial satellites in space, and the first docking with a satellite that was never designed to receive a visitor. Northrop Grumman's first commercial Mission Extension Vehicle, or MEV 1, will take over propulsion responsibilities for Intelsat 901, which is running low on fuel after more than 18 years in service relaying data and television signals. MEV 1 is the first spacecraft of its kind, and officials say the successful link-up with Intelsat 901 is a harbinger for a new era of commercial satellite servicing. The automated docking early Tuesday also marked the first connection of two satellites in geosynchronous orbit, a region high above the equator where spacecraft move at speeds that match the rate of Earth's rotation. Complete information at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-061-Grumman [ANS thanks SpaceFlightNow.com 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From n8hm at arrl.net Thu Mar 5 20:25:44 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Thu, 5 Mar 2020 15:25:44 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-065 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT Academy to be Held Prior to Dayton Hamvention Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-065 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Academy to be Held Prior to Dayton Hamvention SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-065 ANS-065 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 065.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 5, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-065.01 Come join us the day before Hamvention, for AMSAT? Academy ? a unique opportunity to learn all about amateur radio in space and working FM, linear transponder, and digital satellites currently in orbit. AMSAT? Academy will be held Thursday, May 14, 2020, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse, loc- ated at 6619 Bellefontaine Rd, Dayton, Ohio. The $85 registration fee includes: ? Full day of instruction, designed for both beginners and advanced amateur radio satellite operators, and taught by some of the most accomplished AMSAT operators. ? Digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, 2020 Edi- tion ($15 value) ? One-Year, AMSAT? Basic Membership ($44 value) ? Pizza Buffet Lunch ? Invitation to the Thursday night AMSAT? get together at Ticket Pub and Eatery in Fairborn. Registration closes May 8, 2020. No sign ups at the door. No refunds, no cancellations. Registrations may be purchased on the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/product/2020-amsat-academy-registration/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Vice President - User Services for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From ki7unj at gmail.com Sun Mar 8 00:00:00 2020 From: ki7unj at gmail.com (KI7UNJ Tucker) Date: Sat, 7 Mar 2020 16:00:00 -0800 Subject: [ans] ANS-068 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-068 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Welcome Back XW-2D * PSAT3 Launch CANCELED * AMSAT Academy to be Held Prior to Dayton Hamvention * The 23cm Satellite Band is Under Scrutiny in Europe * Replacing the International Space Station? * FO-29 Operational Schedule * ARISS News * AMSAT Will be at ScienceCity in Tucson, March 14-15 * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-068.01 ANS-068 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 068.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 Mar 08 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-068.01 Welcome Back XW-2D XW-2D has come back from its apparent issues and is back in action. No official report for the satellite owner, but reports from operators all over the world have shown the satellite is back in operation: Frequency: UPLINK LSB 435.210 MHz to 435.230 MHZ DOWNLINK USB 145.860 MHz to 145.880 MHZ Make sure to post your reception reports for all satellites at https://www.amsat.org/status/ [ANS thanks Hasan Schiers, N0AN, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- PSAT3 Launch CANCELED Four days from Shipping PSAT3 to Kodiak for launch, the launch has been canceled. The launch was part of the DARPA LAUNCH CHALLENGE: https://darpalaunchchallenge.org/index.html The challenge (and $10m prize) was for any launch provider to deliver a rocket with only 30 days notice of what payloads they would have and where they would launch from. And then to do it again only 30 days later. We were on the second launch. But on 2 March the third attempt by the launch provider was scrubbed at T-9 minutes and was not resolved until the launch window (and DARPA challenge deadline) had passed. Therefore the CHALLENGE is over, there was no winner, and we lost the launch. So, if anyone hears of a rocket that needs a CUBESAT PPOD backup replacement, we have one: http://aprs.org/psat3.html [ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Academy to be Held Prior to Dayton Hamvention Come join us the day before Hamvention, for AMSAT? Academy ? a unique opportunity to learn all about amateur radio in space and working FM, linear transponder, and digital satellites currently in orbit. AMSAT? Academy will be held Thursday, May 14, 2020, from 9:00am to 5:00pm, at the Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) Clubhouse, loc- ated at 6619 Bellefontaine Rd, Dayton, Ohio. The $85 registration fee includes: ? Full day of instruction, designed for both beginners and advanced amateur radio satellite operators, and taught by some of the most accomplished AMSAT operators. ? Digital copy of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, 2020 Edi- tion ($15 value) ? One-Year, AMSAT? Basic Membership ($44 value) ? Pizza Buffet Lunch ? Invitation to the Thursday night AMSAT? get together at Ticket Pub and Eatery in Fairborn. Registration closes May 8, 2020. No sign ups at the door. No refunds, no cancellations. Registrations may be purchased on the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/product/2020-amsat-academy-registration/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Vice President - User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- The 23cm Satellite Band is Under Scrutiny in Europe The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 1 committee is al- ready actively participating in the regulatory work taking place in the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administra- tions (CEPT) to consider coexistence between the secondary amateur and amateur satellite services and the primary radio navigation satellite service, in the 1.2 GHz band. The principal issue is Europe's Galileo system of global navigation satellites. The Galileo services are delivered in a number of bands and one occu- pies the 1260-1300 MHz band. The Galileo team has witnessed interfer- ence from amateur TV transmissions which resulted in station shut down and has experienced interference from high power EME operations too. Work is at an early stage and the IARU will continue to try tp mini- mise the impact on amateur operations however it is likely that some changes will be necessary to the way we use the band. The topic is closely related to the agenda of the next World Radio- communication Conference coming up in 2013 (WRC-23) at which represen- tatives of the United Nations countries who are members of the Inter- national Telecommunication Union will agree on coordinated radio regu- lations. For more information, see https://tinyurl.com/tcrdm4j [ANS thanks Jacques Verleijen, ON4AVJ, and the IARU Region 1 Newsletter for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Replacing the International Space Station? Aboard the International Space Station (ISS), humanity has managed to maintain an uninterrupted foothold in low Earth orbit for just shy of 20 years. But as the saying goes, what goes up must eventually come down. The ISS is at too low of an altitude to remain in orbit indef- initely, and core modules of the structure are already operating years beyond their original design lifetimes. As difficult a decision as it might be for the countries involved, in the not too distant future the $150 billion orbiting outpost will have to be abandoned. Naturally there?s some debate as to how far off that day is. NASA of- ficially plans to support the Station until at least 2024, and an ex- tension to 2028 or 2030 is considered very likely. However, one commer- cial partner is betting on a longer-term future. Axiom has been select- ed by NASA to develop a new habitable module for the U.S. side of the Station by 2024. While the agreement technically only covers a single module, Axiom hasn?t been shy about their plans going forward. Once that first module is installed and operational, they plan on getting NASA approval to launch several new modules branching off of it. Ultimately, they hope that their ?wing? of the ISS can be detached and become its own inde- pendent commercial station by the end of the decade. Read the full article at https://bit.ly/39tsc6V [ANS thanks Hackaday 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ FO-29 Operational Schedule The operation of Fuji 3 (FO-29) has been unstable, but the transmitter will be turned on in the next pass. Since the date and time are in UTC, add 9 hours to convert to Japan time. The operation is until the UVC (lower limit voltage control) operates. [Scheduled time to turn on the analog transmitter of Fuji 3 (UTC)] March 8 04:30- 06:15- 14:40 March 14 04:15- 06:00- 14:25 March 15 03:25- 05:10- 15:15 March 21 03:10- 04:55- 15:00 March 22 04:00- 05:45- 14:05 March 28 03:45- 05:30- 13:50 March 29 04:35- 06:20- 14:40 Because of data acquisition, besides this operation plan, the transmitter may be turned on for a short time. [ANS thanks JARL for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News An International Space Station (ISS) school contact with an Australian school on 13 March will be audible in USA! The ISS will be over North America at the time, and the Australians will link to it by land line "Telebridge" via a U.S. amateur radio station. The contact will be with the Australian Air League - South Australia Wing, Parafield, South Australia, but via Telebridge Station K6DUE in Greenbelt, Maryland, USA. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS and the scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan, KI5AAA. The contact is scheduled at 08:56 UTC with downlink signals from ISS heard above Maryland and nearby areas on 145.800 MHz narrowband FM. [ANS thanks Rudy Parisio, IW2BSF, and Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, of the ARISS Operation Team, 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 Will be at ScienceCity in Tucson, March 14-15 AMSAT will be supporting the University of Arizona's K7UAZ radio club during the ScienceCity science fair on 14-15 March 2020 (a Saturday and Sunday). ScienceCity will be on the University of Arizona campus in Tucson, Arizona. This science fair is supported by several organizations at the university, and runs in conjunction with the Tucson Festival of Books that will also take place that weekend. More information about ScienceCity is available at: http://sciencecity.arizona.edu/ Information about the K7UAZ radio club is available at: http://k7uaz.com/ The K7UAZ radio club will have a booth in the "Science of Everyday Life" area at ScienceCity. This booth will showcase different facets of amateur radio, including amateur satellites. WD9EWK, and possibly other call signs, should be heard during demonstrations of satellite operating taking place at ScienceCity. If you hear us, please call and be a part of the demonstrations. The University of Arizona campus is in grid DM42, in Arizona's Pima County. QSLing will be determined by the call sign used for QSOs. WD9EWK will upload to Logbook of the World, and will be happy to send QSL cards on request (please e-mail Patrick the QSO details - no card or SASE is required to get a card). K7UAZ will confirm QSOs by QSL card, following instructions posted on QRZ.com. During the weekend, the @WD9EWK Twitter account will be used to post updates from ScienceCity. If you do not use Twitter, you can view these updates in a web browser without having a Twitter account at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK [ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, AMSAT Board Member, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Current schedule: March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ (see above) March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Assoc. Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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 - Shorts Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM) - K7U ROVE March 7-8, 2020 Casey KI7UNJ and Kel KI7UXT will be operating as K7U from CN93, CN94, DN03, DN04 a CN92. Details are posted on QRZ https://www.qrz.com/db/k7u Updates from the road on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and https://twitter.com/KI7UXT - Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5 - #NevadaMayhem part 1: Central Nevada (DM19) March 21, 2020 David, AD7DB, will venture deep into Central Nevada to specifically activate grid DM19 on Saturday March 21. This is actually down a ide road from "The Loneliest Road in America." Hardly any hams even live in that grid. It's for sure that few ever activate it. On the way there, Friday March 20, he will try to also activate some or all of: DM06, DM16, DM07, DM08, DM17 and DM18. Going home Sunday, March 22, he will try to visit them again. This will be on FM satellites only. Internet and cell coverage may be very poor up there but for updates check Twitter: https:/twitter.com/ad7db [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has completed frequency coordination HSU-SAT1, a 1U CubeSat to be released from the ISS sometime in the coming year. The satellite will include capability of a camera image dowlinked by Slow Scan Television (SSTV). The camera will take a photograph of the Earth at image pixel size 320x240. The photograph taken will then be converted into analog SSTV signal, and sent by FM-SSTV downlink on 437.280 MHz. This be part of the satellite's main mission, test of a three-axis attitude control system. More info at shorturl.at/dizP0 and shorturl.at/puNW7 (ANS thanks IARU and AMSAT-UK for the above information) + The Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL) reports that a number of ama- teur radio events planned for March have been cancelled as a result of coronavirus warnings. JARL, in line with government policy, has requested that all events scheduled for the next two weeks be can- celed or postponed for the time being. Also, Dayton Hamvention offi- cials say they are closely following the coronavirus (COVID-19) sit- uation. Show organizers will post updates as the May 15 ? 17 event nears, but they?re optimistic that coronavirus will not be an issue. (ANS thanks Southgate ARC and ARRL for the above information) + SpaceX-20, a Commercial Resupply Service mission to the International Space Station launched at 0449 GMT Saturday from Cape Canaveral?s Complex 40 launch pad. The mission carrying, as a primary payload, the Interoperable Radio System (IORS). The IORS is the foundational element of the ARISS next-generation radio system on ISS. If all goes according to plan, the Dragon cargo capsule will dock with the space station on Monday, 9 March. (ANS thanks SpaceflightNow for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ ki7unj at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Mar 15 00:08:04 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 14 Mar 2020 17:08:04 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-075 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-075 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Announced * Update from the AMSAT President * ARISS Video of SpaceX CRS-20 Launch Carrying IORS * Minor Update to FoxTelem Released * Use the NO-84 PSK31 Transponder Now! * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-075.01 ANS-075 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 075.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 15, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-075.01 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Announced AMSAT is pleased to announce that the 38th Annual AMSAT Space Sym- posium and Annual General Meeting will be held on Friday, October 16th - Sunday, October 18th at the Crowne Plaza Suites: MSP Airport - Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The Crowne Plaza Suites is conveniently located adjacent to the Amer- ican Blvd station on the Metro Blue Line, providing easy access to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, downtown Minneapolis, and the Mall of America. The AMSAT Board of Directors will meet on Wednesday, October 14th and Thursday, October 15th at the hotel. Further details, including hotel reservation information, tours, and other events will be shared in the coming months. [ANS thanks the 2020 AMSAT Symposium Committee for the above infor- mation] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Update from the AMSAT President The past six weeks since becoming AMSAT President has flown by with great speed. Thankfully I?m not travelling at 27,000 km/hour like our popular satellite AO-91. Speaking with many of our volunteers and members, I?ve felt the level of excitement and enthusiasm for the great launch opportunities ahead. As mentioned in ANS-047, one of my tasks was to speak with the Directors and convene a meeting to conduct AMSAT corporate business. Tuesday, March 3, AMSAT held an informal working session for the Board of Directors. We are moving forward with a called Board of Directors meeting scheduled on Tuesday, March 17. The next meeting will allow Directors to put forward motions for new business, hear a status update from our officers, and set future trajectory. The amateur radio community has felt the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) with the cancellation of some regional events. Even as this health emergency has been raised to World Health Organization (WHO)?s highest level, its Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus remains hopeful that COVID-19 can be curtailed. AMSAT is closely monitoring the upcoming 2020 Hamvention being held over 60 days away in Xenia, Ohio. The Dayton Amateur Radio Association (DARA) has publicly stated they are following guidance from the State of Ohio and Greene County. Barring further information from DARA, AMSAT will continue to make plans for our representation at the 2020 Hamvention. AMSAT officers are also working on contingency plans if Hamvention is canceled. These plans include virtual presentations and other real- time online activities during Hamvention weekend. Our next edition of the AMSAT Journal will be going through the editing review process soon. It will contain more detailed information about the health of AMSAT, its mission status, and share exciting news for 2020. If you?re not a member receiving the Journal, please consider joining at our website www.amsat.org. 73, Clayton W5PFG AMSAT President [ANS thanks AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, for the above in- formation] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS Video of SpaceX CRS-20 Launch Carrying IORS On Friday, March 6, 2020 at 11:50 EST, SpaceX CRS-20 was successfully launched from Pad 40 at Kennedy Space Center. This was also a signif- icant launch for ARISS since this cargo mission was carrying our Interoperable Radio System to the International Space Station. This system will greatly enhance our capabilities on board Station involving our school contacts with the crew and both our current and planned future educational experiments. A special thanks to all who have donated and continue to donate to our ARISS Next-Generation Hard- ware Upgrade Fundrazr at our website www.ariss.org. You are making it all happen!! I was able to attend the launch along with several other ARISS volun- teers and have created a short video of the experience from our view- ing location at the Banana Creek ViewPoint. Please note that you will hear two moderators on the video. One is actually at our site, announcing the launch. Another audio feed is coming from the PA system there and is delayed 30 seconds from real time, so try not to get too confused as you listen in. Hope you enjoy the video. Dave, AA4KN, ARISS PR The video can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-075-ARISS [ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Minor Update to FoxTelem Released FoxTelem has been updated to version 1.08z5 and the latest version is here: http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/windows/ http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/linux/ http://amsat.us/FoxTelem/mac/ This is not a mandatory upgrade. It fixes some minor bugs that caused crashes and corrects the calculation of the bit SNR for the Dot Pro- duct BPSK detector. If you use the Dot Product detector and you care about the measured bit signal to noise ratio, then you want to upgrade. Note that if you use Find Signal in IQ mode then the bit SNR level is used to determine if the signal is found. Because the level has changed you will need to adjust the threshold value. Email Chris Thompson at g0kla at arrl.net if you need more information. Please let me know if you see any issues, or log them on GitHub here: https://github.com/ac2cz/FoxTelem/issues [ANS thanks Chris Thompson, AC2CZ/G0KLA, AMSAT FoxTelem Developer for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Use the NO-84 PSK31 Transponder Now! Amid reports that NO-84's battery is weakening, Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, shared the following message: Before PSAT (NO-84) dies, don?t miss out on trying out its HF 28.120 PSK31 uplink transponder (435.350 MHz FM downlink). Apparently its battery is weakening and cannot make it through some eclipses. And the orbit only has 2 years left (Battery probably wont last that long). But in the sun, it should work fine. PSK31 Xponder is always enabled, all it needs is to see PSK31 on the Ten-meter uplink. It will also send down an SSTV image (in the same waterfall) once every 2 minutes if the sun power is good. [ANS thanks Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Turkey Space Camp, Izmir, Turkey, telebridge via W5RRR The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA Contact is go for Option #4: Thu 2020-03-19 08:59:54 UTC 37 deg The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, of the ARISS Operations Team, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Note: Due to the COVID-19 situation, please check these events' web- sites for up-to-date status information. Current schedule: March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ April 4, 2020 River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society Presentation Faribault, MN April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Brainerd, MN May 2, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Assoc. Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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 (DL88) March 16-17, 2020 Ron AD0DX and Doug N6UA will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx and https://twitter.com/dtabor - Red River Gorge, KY (EM87) March 19-24, 2020 Michael, N4DCW will be in Red River Gorge, Kentucy, March 19th through 24th. Watch Michael?s Twitter feed for more info https://twitter.com/MWimages - Midwinter Madness Rove: (EN24, EN25, EN34) March 20-21, 2020 Mitch, AD0HJ, will roving three central Minnesota grids just prior to the Midwinter Madness Hobby Electronics Show in Buffalo, MN on March 21st, 2020. Look for him to activate grids EN24/EN25/EN35 on the eve- ning of March 20th through the evening of March 21st, 2020. Check Mitch?s Twitter feed for updates on his planned satellite pass sche- dule: https://twitter.com/AD0HJ - River Bend Wireless Rove (EN22, EN33, EN34, EN42, EN43, EN44) April 2-4, 2020 Mitch AD0HJ is looking to add six more grids to his rover basket just before the April 4th AMSAT presentation/demonstration at the River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society in Faribault, MN. Mitch will be activating the EN43/EN44 grid line on April 2nd, the EN32/EN42 grid line on April 3rd, and the EN33/EN34 grid line on April 4th, 2020. Watch Mitch?s Twitter feed as the dates approach for a detailed sche- dule. https://twitter.com/AD0HJ - From the Mountains to the Bay (CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10, 11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020 RJ, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to Vaca- ville, CA. He?s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered include: CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + A Doppler.sqf file posted on the AMSAT-UK website listed FM freq- uencies for several satellites carrying linear transponders. Operators are reminded that FM is not to be used on linear transponders. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for this information) + On March 10th, March 10, 2020, the AMSAT-SM group was formed in connection with the closure of the AMSAT-SM organization. The process of creating AMSAT-SM for the future began after the 2019 annual meet- ing and now we are ready to continue with AMSAT-SM in a new and simp- ler way. All activities that were part of the old AMSAT-SM are now transferred to the new group. The website will be updated in March with new steering guidelines and other relevant information. Welcome with us into the future. AMSAT-SM is Amateur Radio via Satellite! (ANS thanks SM0TGU from AMSAT-SM for this information) + ARRL has announced a new book entitled "Amateur Radio Satellites for Beginners" by Steve Ford, WB8IMY. It can be purchased at http://www.arrl.org/shop/Amateur-Radio-Satellites-for-Beginners/ (ANS thanks the ARRL for this information) + The CAS-4B beacon is again sending telemetry after sending only a continuous tone for the past few weeks. (ANS thanks John Papay, K8YSE, for this information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Thu Mar 19 16:02:44 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Thu, 19 Mar 2020 09:02:44 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-079 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin Message-ID: <004901d5fe07$d3f14bd0$7bd3e370$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-079 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT President Urges Members to Renew/Donate Now SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-079 ANS-079 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 079.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 19, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-079.01 AMSAT President Urges Members to Renew/Donate Now AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG has put out a call for new and renewing AMSAT members to act now and register online. Coleman says, "All things considered, cancellation of Hamvention 2020 was the right thing to do and we recognize the difficult decision that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association Executive Committee had to make. "The cancellation of Hamvention will have a dramatic effect on the well-being of many vendors and associations that serve the Amateur Radio community. AMSAT is no exception. Hamvention has always been a major fund-raising tool for both recruiting and renewing members as well as selling AMSAT branded merchandise, software, books and antennas. The loss of this important venue has the potential to adversely affect the projects that AMSAT has underway already and planned for the months and years ahead. "This is a very exciting time for Amateur Radio in Space with the new Interoperable Radio System for ARISS, the GOLF satellite program, updating member services and launching our Youth Initiative. It has been many years since we have seen this kind of excitement and interest in space communications. We would hate to lose that momentum and fall behind. "I am asking everyone to act now and join or renew their AMSAT membership NOW while it is on our minds. Your immediate willingness to act will help strengthen AMSAT and help ensure our mission of 'Keeping Amateur Radio in Space'. There are membership opportunities for everyone to consider: - Basic Membership from $44 - Student Membership from $22 - Additional Household Memberships from $22 - School and Club Memberships from $80 - QRO Membership from $80 - Lifetime Membership $880 (or only $74/mo. For twelve months)" Coleman also adds, "And, while you're at it, don't be afraid to kick in a few extra dollars with a one-time or sustaining donation to AMSAT's general operating fund. Especially appreciated are those Amateurs who can make an extra difference by contributing to the President's Club with contributions of $120 or more. Whatever you can contribute, please understand that every dollar counts. "Additionally, with Hamvention's cancellation, we lost the opportunity to personally greet and thank all of AMSAT's membership and to share our enthusiasm for the upcoming year. Watch for upcoming news on our plans and launches for 2020. We'll be talking soon." [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President for the above information] +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Memberships, both new and renewals, as well as can be made at: https://www.amsat.org/shop For a limited time, AMSAT is making the "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book available for a limited time as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store! Make your online donations at: https://www.amsat.org/donate +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun Mar 22 00:14:19 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 21 Mar 2020 17:14:19 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-082 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin Message-ID: <000d01d5ffde$d51da4d0$7f58ee70$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-082 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * AMSAT President Urges Members to Renew/Donate Now * AMSAT Treasurer's Report Posted * 2020 AMSAT Academy Cancelled * IARU Announces R2 Satellite Communication Workshop 31 May 2020 * AMSAT-BR Announces QO-100 FT8 QRPp Experiment * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 19, 2020 * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-082.01 ANS-082 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 082.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. March 22, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-082.01 AMSAT President Urges Members to Renew/Donate Now AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG has put out a call for new and renewing AMSAT members to act now and register online. Coleman says, "All things considered, cancellation of Hamvention 2020 was the right thing to do and we recognize the difficult decision that the Dayton Amateur Radio Association Executive Committee had to make. "The cancellation of Hamvention will have a dramatic effect on the well-being of many vendors and associations that serve the Amateur Radio community. AMSAT is no exception. Hamvention has always been a major fund-raising tool for both recruiting and renewing members as well as selling AMSAT branded merchandise, software, books and antennas. The loss of this important venue has the potential to adversely affect the projects that AMSAT has underway already and planned for the months and years ahead. "This is a very exciting time for Amateur Radio in Space with the new Interoperable Radio System for ARISS, the GOLF satellite program, updating member services and launching our Youth Initiative. It has been many years since we have seen this kind of excitement and interest in space communications. We would hate to lose that momentum and fall behind. "I am asking everyone to act now and join or renew their AMSAT membership NOW while it is on our minds. Your immediate willingness to act will help strengthen AMSAT and help ensure our mission of 'Keeping Amateur Radio in Space'. There are membership opportunities for everyone to consider: - Basic Membership from $44 - Student Membership from $22 - Additional Household Memberships from $22 - School and Club Memberships from $80 - QRO Membership from $80 - Lifetime Membership $880 (or only $74/mo. For twelve months)" Coleman also adds, "And, while you're at it, don't be afraid to kick in a few extra dollars with a one-time or sustaining donation to AMSAT's general operating fund. Especially appreciated are those Amateurs who can make an extra difference by contributing to the President's Club with contributions of $120 or more. Whatever you can contribute, please understand that every dollar counts. "Additionally, with Hamvention's cancellation, we lost the opportunity to personally greet and thank all of AMSAT's membership and to share our enthusiasm for the upcoming year. Watch for upcoming news on our plans and launches for 2020. We'll be talking soon." [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President 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 Treasurer's Report Posted During the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting held March 17, 2020 Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Treasurer presented a report to the board members. Bankston said," Now that I?ve had a few months to settle into my new position as AMSAT Treasurer and spend a little time digging through the numbers, I thought it was time to share what I have found and set the record straight about some of the misinformation that is being spread about AMSAT?s financial position. " Despite rumors and misquotes of AMSAT being on an unsustainable path, let?s look at where we really are and how we are doing. - Over the past ten years (2010-2019), AMSAT has averaged a $34,357 - increase in net assets (what most people refer to as profits) per year. - Our combined revenues over expenditures (profits) for the past 5 years (2015-2019) were $110,962, which includes launching 4 amateur satellites into space, readying RadFxSat-2 (Fox-1E) and the ARISS InterOperable Radio System for flight, and getting started on GOLF and Lunar Gateway projects. - In 2019, AMSAT generated $756,256 in revenues with $617,425 in expenditures. "Year to year fluctuations are generally a result of timing differences between project fundraising efforts and when AMSAT needs to spend money. In addition, AMSAT maintains its reserves in investment accounts, which are subject to market price fluctuations and must be included in our financial statements. "2018 is a perfect example: - AMSAT authorized a $62,055 payment to NASA, which was not reimbursed until 2019. - AMSAT spent $62,397 on the initial hardware development for GOLF. - AMSAT launched two satellites in 2018, Fox-1D (AO-92) and Fox-1 Cliff (AO-95). - AMSAT had to report a $77,128 fair market value loss in investments (which was fully recovered in 2019)." Bankston adds, "Don?t get me wrong ? there is certainly room for improvement. I have already identified and started to implement cost- saving and budgetary control measures that can and will make us more efficient. As AMSAT Treasurer, it is my job to safeguard AMSAT?s resources from both fraud and waste, and I intend to do exactly that. I look forward to what more we can achieve." In his report Bankston also summarized a number of other financial matters. Membership - Membership revenues continue to rise and have increased 65.68% in just that past 5 years, all without any increase in dues rates for its members. - New memberships, renewals, life memberships, and AMSAT Store purchases for the first three months of 2020 are on track to exceed the same revenue sources for 2019. Transparency AMSAT is fully committed to financial transparency. Its financial statements and regulatory informational reports (Form 990's) are and have always been publicly available. Furthermore, to add confidence, an independent certified public accounting firm reviews AMSAT's financial statements and includes their report with our financials. AMSAT financial reports and related documents are available online at www.amsat.org/audit-and-other-financial-reports/. Solvency AMSAT is on a solid financial footing and headed in the right direction. AMSAT started this year with over $134,000 in cash and over $591,000 in investments. The level of its reserves, its ability to generate more revenues than expenses, and its ability to continue to grow its members has AMSAT fiscally positioned to accept whatever challenges and opportunities tomorrow brings. Bankston concluded his report by saying, "AMSAT does not expect to fully fund itself with membership dues. Member dues are meant to cover member services and benefits. Funding for everything else must come from other sources. "In 2019, member dues accounted for only $134,570 of AMSAT?s total revenues. The remaining $621,686 came from the kind hearts of our donors and the incredible work of our volunteers ? seeking out new revenue streams and securing grants to further support our mission. "We, at AMSAT, are keeping our promise to Keep Amateur Radio in Space and doing so in a fiscally responsible manner." This report including graphs and charts can be seen at https://www.amsat.org/amsat-treasurers-report. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Treasurer for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2020 AMSAT Academy Cancelled Due to the unfortunate cancellation of the 2020 Hamvention, the AMSAT Academy has also been canceled. Registrants will be notified directly with refund information. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, Vice President User Services 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ IARU Announces R2 Satellite Communication Workshop 31 May 2020 This 3-hour online workshop is an opportunity for all English speaking Radio Amateurs in IARU Region 2 and specifically the Caribbean to meet and share their experience with amateur satellite communications. No prior experience in satellite communications is required. Tentative workshop agenda will include: - How to get started in satellite communications - A practical demonstration using inexpensive and simple components (Handy and portable Antennas) - Useful tools, helpful tips, techniques and websites to find information on how to get started - Explain the different components of a ground station for more advanced users (LNA, Cross-Polarized Antennas, phased lines, coaxial loss at VHF and upper frequencies, equipment, SDR's, etc.). - Using satellite communications as a way to encourage young people to become Amateurs and generate connections and projects with local universities, college and schools in STEM programs - Attendees are all Amateurs interested in satellite communications, whether experienced or wanting to learn how to get started. Workshops General Information: - Working language will be English for both workshops. - Preference will be given to amateurs in the Caribbean. - Workshops will start at 1400 local time (AST/ET, 1800 UT). - Access will be via Zoom, an easy to use online conference tool available on a number of platforms. - Agenda and information on how to participate will be sent to registered participants in mid-May. Registration for the online workshop can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-IARU-Workshop [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT-BR Announces QO-100 FT8 QRPp Experiment AMSAT-Brazil is organizing a reverse beacon FT8 QRPp experiment/ contest via the QO-100 geostationary amateur radio transponder. The first ten spotted stations with lower SNR will receive a Certificate of Accomplishment. The dead line will be May 1, 2020. To qualify, the SNR must be lower than -18 dB (as measured by the FT8 decoder). The receiver will be active on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 UTC to 24:00 UTC and will be tuned to 10.489540 GHz with a 3.5 kHz bandwidth. All stations calling CQ will be logged. The objective for the project is to incentive low power experimentation through the QO-100 narrow band transponder. Stations participating in the experiment are welcome to send a brief description of their setup, including information about RF power output, hardware and software setups, antenna type and gain, photos, etc. to the email address py2sdr at gmail dot com. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for March 19, 2020 Ray Hoad, WA5QGD reports, "I am pleased to announce that AMSAT-NA's request to re-distribute TLE elements from Space-Track website has been approved for the period April 1,2020 to April 1, 2021. Our ODR (Orbital Data Request) to re-distribute the Space-Track TLE's was approved by Air Force 18 SPCS on February 27, 2020 (Received March 12, 2020). Thanks to Air Force 18 SPCS, Perry Klein, W3PK and Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P for their help in this yearly process. We are 'good to go' for another year." The following Amateur Radio satellites have been removed from this week's TLE distribution: EO-79 - NORAD CAT ID 40025 - Non-operational UKube-1 - NORAD CAT ID 40074 - Non-operational AO-85 - NORAD CAT ID 40967 - End of Mission [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations + River Bend Wireless Rove (EN22,EN33,EN34,EN42,EN43,EN44) April 2-4, 2020 Mitch AD0HJ is looking to add six more grids to his rover basket just before the April 4 AMSAT presentation/demonstration at the River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society in Faribault, MN. Mitch will be activating the EN43/EN44 grid line on April 2nd, the EN32/EN42 grid line on April 3, and the EN33/EN34 grid line on April 4, 2020. Watch Mitch?s Twitter feed as the dates approach for a detailed schedule at https://twitter.com/AD0HJ. + From the Mountains to the Bay (CM88,89,98,99; DM09,19,29; DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020 RJ, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to Vacaville, CA. He?s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered include: CM88,89,98,99; DM09,19,29; DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events - May 2, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI - May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ - May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ - June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX Be sure to check this page and event organizers for cancellations! To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors at amsat dot org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + Completed Contacts Turkey Space Camp, Izmir, Turkey, telebridge via W5RRR. - The ISS callsign was NA1SS. - The astronaut was Drew Morgan KI5AAA. - Contact was successful on Thursday, March 19, 2020. - In an ARISS first due to COVID-19, all of the questions were pre-recorded by the students and no students were on site during the contact. + Upcoming Contacts SPDW Voortrekker Movement, Oranjeville, South Africa, direct via ZS9SPD. - The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. - The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA. - Contact is go for: Friday, March 27, 2020 at 09:47:49 UTC. Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RK?J??. - The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS. - The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka. - Possible contact on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 2020-03-31 08:50 UTC. "ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates." [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Shorts from All Over * AMSAT February 4, 2020 BoD Minutes Available Online The minutes for the AMSAT Board of Directors meeting held on February 4, 2020 are now available online for viewing at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-BoD-Minutes [ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information.] + Sean Kutzko New Article: Upgrading to Linear Satellites Wondering what to do after working the FM birds? Sean Kutzko, KX9X has updated his series of satellite operating tips with "Satellite Basics (Part 3): Upgrading to the Linear Satellites". Covering everything from equipment suggestions to proper tuning procedures, this information-packed article can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-Linear-Birds. [ANS thanks the Sean Kutzko, KX9X for the above information.] + Hamvention Announces Refund Information The Dayton Amateur Radio Association has made the following announcement regarding Hamvention refunds: "Due to unfortunate cancellation of Hamvention 2020, we know that tickets, inside booth spaces and flea market spaces have been purchased. These purchases have been made by online credit cards, mail order checks and purchased from our outside vendors. All refunds will be through the same method of purchase. All credit card sales will be refunded to the original card used to make the charge. All check and cash sales will be refunded by check. We anticipate all refunds completed as soon as possible but not later than August 1." Further information is available at https://hamvention.org/. [ANS thanks DARA for the above information.] + Australis OSCAR 5 Book Available in the U.S. Australis OSCAR 5 - The Improbable Story of Australia's First Private Satellite book (second edition) is now available in the U.S. The book details how, in the 1960's, a group of University of Melbourne Science and Engineering students and one Law student banded together to build a satellite in their spare time. You can order the book directly from the publisher at https://isdistribution.com/BookDetail.aspx?aId=122391 [ANS thanks Owen Mace for the above information.] + FUNCube TLM Receive Antenna Available AMSAT-UK is pleased to offer a simple, low cost antenna system, for use with a FUNcube Dongle (or any other receiver) to receive the FUNcube telemetry signals. Based around a Winkler Crossed Dipole antenna, this kit includes the antenna, a RF cable (2m long) for connection between the antenna and a FUNcube Dongle, and a USB cable (approximately 1.8 m long) for connecting the dongle to a computer. Ordering information is available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-FUNcube [ANS thanks Graham Shirville, G3VZV for the above information.] + Remote Display over USB for Kenwood TH-D74 Many operators love their Kenwood TH-D74 handheld for satellite operation but there is always room for improvement. Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT offers plans for an external remote display that connects to the radio's USB port. The device is based on a Raspberry Pi Zero W and a 16?2 LCD. The complete plans are available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-TH-D74 [ANS thanks Tony Milluzzi, KD8RTT for the above information.] + Amateur Radio Satellite Spreads Fight Coronavirus Message Indonesia?s national amateur radio society ORARI reports the ham radio satellite LAPAN-A2 (IO-86) is being used to send a Fight Coronavirus message using APRS. A translation of the ORARI post says, ?Stay Healthy, Stay at Home #LawanCorona?. See the complete story at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-082-Coronavirus. + M2 Pathfinder Satellite Launch Imminent M2 Pathfinder satellite's next launch window is reportedly no earlier than March 29, 2020. The M2 Pathfinder is a collaboration between the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Canberra Space and the Australian Government. The M2 Pathfinder will test communications architecture and other technologies that will assist in informing the future space capabilities of Australia. The satellite will demonstrate the ability of an onboard software-based radio to operate and reconfigure while in orbit. The mission has been named ?Don?t Stop Me Now? in recognition of Rocket Lab board member and avid Queen fan Scott Smith, who recently passed away. Complete information on the mission is available at https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/. [ANS thanks Terry Osborne ZL2BAC 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From n8hm at arrl.net Mon Mar 23 14:02:03 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 10:02:03 -0400 Subject: [ans] ANS-083 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Appointed AMSAT Volunteer Coordinator Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-083 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Appointed AMSAT Volunteer Coordinator SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-083 ANS-083 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 083.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 23, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-083.01 Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Appointed AMSAT Volunteer Coordinator AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, has announced the appointment of Sean Kutzko, KX9X, as Volunteer Coordinator. First licensed in 1982 as KA9NGH, Kutzko served as both ARRL Contest Branch Manager (2007-2013) and ARRL Media and Public Relations Mana- ger (2013-2017). He was the creator and co-administrator of the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program in 2016. An active HF and VHF contester, DXer and backpack QRP enthusiast, Kutzko started work- ing satellites in 2011 and has transmitted from over fifty different grid squares. He has written instructional materials on satellite op- erating for the AMSAT website, QST, and blogs regularly on satellite topics for the DX Engineering blog "On All Bands." "It's an honor to be able to volunteer for AMSAT," Kutzko said. "When [new AMSAT president] Clayton [Coleman, W5PFG] asked if I would help coordinate a team of volunteers, I jumped at the opportunity. AMSAT is a great organization and helping find good volunteers who are willing to help all areas of AMSAT's growth and development is the least I could do for the organization that has given me a lot of enjoyment and technical skill." Outside of Amateur Radio, Kutzko is a freelance PR/communications consultant and voiceover artist, as well as a baker of artisan breads, pizza and pastries. He also plays drums in a classic rock/country band, Silverweed. He lives in Urbana, Illinois. [ANS thanks AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, for the above in- formation] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Mon Mar 23 20:54:40 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Mon, 23 Mar 2020 16:54:40 -0400 Subject: [ans] ANS-083.02 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT Office Closed Until Further Notice Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-083.02 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Office Closed Until Further Notice SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-083.02 ANS-083.02 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 083.02 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE March 23, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-083.02 AMSAT Office Closed Until Further Notice Due to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's order closing all non-essential businesses in the State of Maryland in response to the COVID-19 pan- demic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice, effective to- day at 5:00pm EDT. While the office is closed, AMSAT will continue to accept new and renewal memberships. However, membership packets will not be mailed until the office reopens. T-shirts, hats, and other items stocked in the office will also not be available until the office reopens. Dig- ital downloadable content, including SatPC32 and MacDoppler will re- main available from the AMSAT store. Antenna, name badge, and awards orders will be forwarded for processing. The March/April issue of The AMSAT Journal will be produced on time. However, it may only be possible to publish it in digital format. Stay tuned for further updates. Any questions about memberships, orders, or office operations can be sent to info at amsat.org. Please note that no mail or phone service will be available until the office reopens. Vendors billing AMSAT for goods or services may email the above address to arrange payment. [ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun Mar 29 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 28 Mar 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-089 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-089 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Appointed AMSAT Volunteer Coordinator * AMSAT Office Closed Until Further Notice * First Satellite Contact to be Noted in May QST * Amateur Radio Satellite Spreads Fight Coronavirus Message * Ham Talk Live! Interviews Frank Bauer, KA3HDO * ISS Crew Transition Affected by CoViD-19 * Upcoming ARISS Contacts * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-089.01 ANS-089 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 089.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 Mar 29 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-089.01 Sean Kutzko, KX9X, Appointed AMSAT Volunteer Coordinator AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, has announced the appointment of Sean Kutzko, KX9X, as Volunteer Coordinator. First licensed in 1982 as KA9NGH, Kutzko served as both ARRL Contest Branch Manager (2007-2013) and ARRL Media and Public Relations Mana- ger (2013-2017). He was the creator and co-administrator of the ARRL National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) program in 2016. An active HF and VHF contester, DXer and backpack QRP enthusiast, Kutzko started work- ing satellites in 2011 and has transmitted from over fifty different grid squares. He has written instructional materials on satellite op- erating for the AMSAT website, QST, and blogs regularly on satellite topics for the DX Engineering blog "On All Bands." "It's an honor to be able to volunteer for AMSAT," Kutzko said. "When [new AMSAT president] Clayton [Coleman, W5PFG] asked if I would help coordinate a team of volunteers, I jumped at the opportunity. AMSAT is a great organization and helping find good volunteers who are willing to help all areas of AMSAT's growth and development is the least I could do for the organization that has given me a lot of enjoyment and technical skill." Outside of Amateur Radio, Kutzko is a freelance PR/communications consultant and voiceover artist, as well as a baker of artisan breads, pizza and pastries. He also plays drums in a classic rock/country band, Silverweed. He lives in Urbana, Illinois. [ANS thanks AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, for the above in- formation] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Office Closed Until Further Notice Due to Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's order closing all non-essential businesses in the State of Maryland in response to the COVID-19 pan- demic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice, effective to- day at 5:00pm EDT. While the office is closed, AMSAT will continue to accept new and renewal memberships. However, membership packets will not be mailed until the office reopens. T-shirts, hats, and other items stocked in the office will also not be available until the office reopens. Dig- ital downloadable content, including SatPC32 and MacDoppler will re- main available from the AMSAT store. Antenna, name badge, and awards orders will be forwarded for processing. The March/April issue of The AMSAT Journal will be produced on time. However, it may only be possible to publish it in digital format. Stay tuned for further updates. Any questions about memberships, orders, or office operations can be sent to info at amsat.org. Please note that no mail or phone service will be available until the office reopens. Vendors billing AMSAT for goods or services may email the above address to arrange payment. [ANS thanks the AMSAT office 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ First Satellite Contact to be Noted in May QST Those who are ARRL members may be interested in the Technical Corres- pondence article in the forthcoming May 2020 QST, entitled "The 60th Anniversary of the First Satellite Contact." The contact to which it refers took place on February 6, 1960, six months before NASA's Project Echo, between W2RS and K3JTE (now W3PK), making use of a propagation mode first reported by W8JK (SK), which he called "the satellite ionization phenomenon." The May 2020 QST article describes what we did and what has been learn- ed since then about the ionosphere and how W8JK's mechanism works. For further reading about the contact, see the article in Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers, September 1961. For more about the satellite ionization phenomenon, see the chapter by W8JK in S.F. Singer, ed., Interactions of Space Vehicles With an Ionized Atmosphere, Pergamon Press, 1965. The May issue of QST is expected to be published in mid-April. [ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio Satellite Spreads Fight Coronavirus Message Indonesia?s national amateur radio society ORARI reports the ham radio satellite LAPAN-A2 (IO-86) is being used to send a Fight Coronavirus message using APRS. A translation of the ORARI post says: The satellite spreads the text message ?Stay Healthy, Stay at Home #LawanCorona?. This was conveyed by Researcher of the Center for Satellite Technology, Sonny Dwi Harsono when contacted, Friday, March 20, 2020. Sonny explained, this action was a form of support for government pol- icies on social distancing. The policy encourages all of us to reduce activities outside the home and interactions with others. ?So this mes- sage was sent by the LAPAN A2 satellite via the APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) beacon which was transmitted throughout Indonesia. APRS is a text based communication system for short messages such as SMS on mobile phones. But this APRS message can only be received through HT (Handie Talkie) which has the recipient of the APRS mess- age,? he said. Sonny explained, messages that have been disseminated can be received by anyone by setting the HT radio frequency to 145.825 MHz. To date corona?s message has been received by dozens of members of the Indo- nesian Radio Amateur Organization (ORARI) spread throughout Indonesia. The dissemination of the message was carried out starting March 20. For the time being the message dissemination was carried out on the APRS mission only. But it will try to spread the message one time at a LAPAN-A2 / LAPAN-ORARI track every 100 minutes. ?Later if possible, we try to distribute 24 hours nonstop every 100 minutes under certain con- ditions. Currently we are discussing the technicalities. The messages from the government can also be disseminated via the LAPAN-A2 satel- lite," he concluded. Source ORARI https://tinyurl.com/IndonesiaORARI Follow LAPAN-A2 https://twitter.com/lapansat [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Ham Talk Live! Interviews Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Ham Talk Live! host Neal Rapp, WB9VPG recently interviewed Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, for an informative look at recent events in the ARISS program. Bauer, who is AMSAT Vice President, Human Spaceflight and ARISS Inter- national Chair was interviewed on Thursday, March 26, 2020. In the interview Bauer covers ARISS' four-year effort to update the ISS Amateur Radio station with its next generation radio system, the Interoperable Radio System (IORS). The IORS consists of a specially modified JVC-Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver and the AMSAT-NA developed multi-voltage power supply. The complete interview can be heard at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-089-Bauer [ANS thanks Neil Rapp, WB9VPG for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ISS Crew Transition Affected by CoViD-19 The International Space Station Expedition 62 crew, consisting of NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir, Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan, KI5AAA, and Commander Oleg Skripochka, RA0LDJ, are readying their Soyuz MS-15 crew ship for departure on April 17. Meanwhile, the crew that will re- place them is nearing its launch scheduled for April 9 aboard the Soyuz MS-16 crew ship. NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived this week at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for final training. The Expedition 63 trio is due to live aboard the station for 195 days with Cassidy as commander. (ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information) NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy?s family will be watching remotely from halfway around the world when he blasts off April 9 from Kazakhstan to begin a six-month expedition on the International Space Station. That?s because travel restrictions and stringent social distancing guidelines instituted to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic will limit the ability for family members to travel to the Baikonur Cosmo- drome for the launch. Launch day at Baikonur is usually a festive af- fair. ?But it?ll be completely quiet,? Cassidy said in a satellite in- terview from Star City, Russia. ?There won?t be anybody there." (ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information) NASA already has a long-held strategy in place for preventing astro- nauts from carrying any nasty bugs with them to space. All astronauts going to orbit must go through a two-week period of quarantine called ?health stabilization,? according to NASA. That way, the agency can make sure the crew is not incubating any illnesses before launch. How- ever, NASA said it ?will continue to evaluate and augment this plan, in coordination with its international and commercial partners? if needed. In the meantime, Russia?s state space corporation, Roscosmos, has de- cided to shut down all media activity surrounding the Soyuz launch, barring journalists from covering the mission in person. Russia will still live stream the launch, and NASA typically airs all of its crew- ed launches on its own online TV channel. The return of the Expedition 62 crew in mid-April would typically in- volve large numbers of recovery personnel. SpaceX will be ready to send its first crew of NASA astronauts to the International Space Station aboard its Crew Dragon capsule sometime in May. NASA has not provided any details if those operations would change in light of the pandemic. (ANS thanks theverge.com for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contacts 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. Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via RK?J The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka Possible contact on Tuesday 2020-03-31 08:50 UTC ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates at the ARISS webpage: https://www.ariss.org/ The contact scheduled for Wednesday 2020-03-25 with SPDW Voortrekker Movement, Oranjeville, South Africa, direct via ZS9SPD was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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 River Bend Wireless Rove (EN22, EN33, EN34, EN42, EN43, EN44) April 2-4, 2020 Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ, is looking to add six more grids to his ro- ver basket just before the April 4 AMSAT presentation/demonstration at the River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society in Faribault, Minn. Mitch will be activating the EN43/EN44 grid line on April 2nd, the EN32/EN42 grid line on April 3rd, and the EN33/EN34 grid line on April 4th, 2020. Watch Mitch?s Twitter feed as the dates approach for a de- tailed schedule. https://twitter.com/AD0HJ >From the Mountains to the Bay (CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020 R.J. Bragg, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to Vacaville, Calif. He?s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered in- clude: CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Nothing to do while quarantined by Covid-19? How about making a paper model of the satellite, DIWATA-1, the first satellite designed and built in the Philippines: https://tinyurl.com/ujukexd (ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information) + There has been lengthy discussion this week on the AMSAT email bul- letin board, amsat-bb, about inconsiderate operators on FM satel- lites. A document by Sean Kutzko, KX9X, published back in 2017, is still an excellent guide to best practices on these birds. See it at https://tinyurl.com/ybw5e2ng (ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, for the above information) + The coronavirus has had effects on many space activities this week: Virgin Orbit is reassessing schedules, Blue Origin in hard-hit Seat- tle is mostly working online, Arianespace suspended launches from French Guiana and Russia recalled and quarantined its personnel, ESA mission control is working from home, and some spaceports are closed worldwide. (ANS thanks orbitalindex.com for the above information) + One thing astronauts have to be good at: living in confined spaces for long periods of time. Find yourself in a similar scenario? NASA astronaut Anne McClain recently posted a lengthy Twitter thread with pro-tips for getting through your time at home. It begins at: https://tinyurl.com/tqh3hke (ANS thanks orbitalindex.com for the above information) + At least on the ISS astronauts don't have the added task of caring for and educating kids. If your current confinement capsul is equip- ped with youngsters in grades K-4, there are resources for you at: https://www.nasa.gov/stem-at-home-for-students-k-4.html (ANS thanks NASA for the above information) + The Folding at home project is a distributed computing project that is currently running calculations to analyze protein structures on the COVID-19 project. Donate your spare computer time to help this project and consider joining AMSAT's team (#67910). More information at https://foldingathome.org/covid19/. AMSAT's team standings can be found at https://stats.foldingathome.org/team/69710 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, K0JM at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Apr 5 00:00:07 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2020 17:00:07 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-096 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-096 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Ham Radio Book Featured in "Story Time From Space" on ISS * NO-104 / PSAT2 Status * VUCC Standings for April 2020 * AMSAT Awards During Stay-at-Home Orders * Radio Amateurs of Canada Offers New Online Amateur Radio Course * AMSAT South Africa Reports Good Progress with AfriCUBE * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-096.01 ANS-096 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 096.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE April 5, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-096.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Ham Radio Book Featured in "Story Time From Space" on ISS In a collaborative initiative between the ISS National Lab Space Sta- tion Explorers, Story Time From Space, and ARISS, the recent book Ada Lace, Take Me to Your Leader by Emily Calandrelli, KD8PKR, was read by Astronaut Anne McClain for Story Time From Space. Anne read the book in three segments. The second segment features a tour of the ARISS radio station that includes details about ham radio and ARISS. Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT VP Human Spaceflight, pointed out that at the end of the final segment, a video was included of Astronaut Sunita Williams, KD5PLB talking about the impact of ham radio on both the ISS astronauts and the students participating in ARISS activities. Many schools and media outlets?and even the USA?s First Lady?have recom- mended that parents have housebound youth listen to McClain read the book. The Vermont Community Newspaper Group?s (Burlington) reporter wrote in part, ?A great way to get out of the house?way out of the house?without leaving home?. In this installment Ada is trying to fix a ham radio. It?s a nice antidote to weighty issues, enjoying readings from weight- lessness.? A few posts recommending McClain?s YouTube thus far are: Los Angeles?s ABC TV7; Daily Times (Delaware County, PA); The Mercury (Berks County, PA); The Trentonian (NJ); The Barnstable Patriot (MA); and the Orange School District and Hamilton School District (NJ). Find the video for your favorite future astronaut at: https://storytimefromspace.com/ada-lace-part-1/ [ANS thanks Rosalie White, K1STO, of the ARISS staff for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- NO-104 / PSAT2 Status The 2m/APRS side of the sat is still non operating for the unknown reasons. Any change or any packet heard would be welcomed. The 435MHz side of the sat is still going strong. The PSK31 trans- ponder is operating flawlessly with occasional activity seen over the US. If you are operating through transponder, you are asked to stay within 400-1000Hz of downlink frequency. Lower you can interfere with the tlm beacons and higher you will be wiped off by the SSTV signal. The orbit is elliptical with apogee position period approximately 34 days. The 435.350MHz downlink frequency is temperature dependent a bit so best reception with any kind of SDR, where in waterfall you can see actual downlink freq. The greatest offset is seen after eclipse when sat is coldest. The downlink is operating in Sun only, it switches off entering the eclipse and switches on coming from eclipse or after 30- minute timer. The tlm beacons transmit every 4 minutes. The spectrum of the signal is narrow, so in SDR you can use just 2kHz bandwidth gaining SNR. Two minutes after tlm, the SSTV picture is transmitted in 4 minutes intervals also. For reception best bandwidth observed is around 9500Hz. Transmitted pictures are alternating prestored ones and pict- ures from camera memory stored on orbit. Reception is possible on high passes with good omni antenna using the LNA in the quiet environment. But for the passes till horizon, directional antenna and LNA is needed. We are still looking for any stations capable of regular downlink receptions with position between 40deg South and 40deg North. If you can make the receptions available in IQ format it would be greatly welcomed. Station capable of uplink in 29MHz to sat can be selected as commanding station and then can acquire pictures in real time or store them in sequence. So you can get pictures of your side of the globe, just contact us. Further info and contacts can be found at https://github.com/alpov/PSAT-2/blob/master/README.md [ANS thanks Tom?? Urbanec, OK2PNQ, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Standings for April 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period March 1, 2020 through April 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL Mar Apr N3GS 624 652 K9UO 550 565 KK4YEL 413 504 G0ABI 453 454 KB2YSI 101 450 AD0HJ 405 425 N7EGY 351 405 KC9VGG 228 310 N9FN 207 303 PT9BM 225 255 KC9UQR 240 252 WA9JBQ 175 225 W4ZXT 150 202 K5ZM 135 179 WD9EWK (DM41) 148 164 WD9EWK (DM22) 131 150 N4QX 125 138 XE2YWH 102 137 EA2AA 101 125 IZ1ERR New 112 N7JY New 106 KE4BKL New 101 AA7WB New 100 DP0GVN New 100 [ANS thanks Ronald Parsons, W5RKN, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Awards During Stay-at-Home Orders So, you are sitting at home waiting to go back to work. You are work- ing some of the passes of a satellite. Logging as you go. What are you going to do with all those contacts in your log? Easy? You apply for an AMSAT or ARRL award. The ARRL has Worked All States, DXCC and VUCC all with satellite endorsements. AMSAT has the Satellite Communicator Club for working your very first contact on a satellite. The easiest award to apply for. Go directly to the AMSAT Online store and purchase the award. In the comments enter the time/date, satellite and station worked. That?s it. No waiting for QSL cards, no waiting for LoTW confirmation. Then send me an email that you have paid for the award so I know there is one waiting to be processed. AMSAT has a few other awards. The AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award for working 20 different contacts in different US States, VE Call Areas and DXCC entities. Adding 40 more, you earn the AMSAT Sexagesimal Award and adding another 40 earns the AMSAT Century Award. Have you been keeping your log for a long time? You might already qualify for the AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. This award is for 1,000 contacts with anyone over a satellite. Endorsements for each 1,000 up to 4,000 and a special certificate at 5,000. There is also the South Africa AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement award. This award is for 25 contacts through a LEO satellite. As we have no HEO satellites at this time and only one GEO satellite you are pretty much good on almost any satellite you work. And the final one, the AMSAT Rover award. A bit much to explain here. You can get information on all the AMSAT Awards at http://www.amsat.org click on Services and click on the word Awards. You can also click on each of the individual awards to get information on each. Submission is easy for the AMSAT awards. Scan your QSL cards or screen shot your LoTW for each contact. Place them in a ZIP file, Word Document, PDF document and email them to kk5do at amsat dot org. I will then take a look at your submission, complete my documentation and email you to go pay for the award/s at the AMSAT online store. Remember, all satellites are COVID-19 free and you should have no hesitation making a contact through one. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Radio Amateurs of Canada Offers New Online Amateur Radio Course In response to the current Covid-19 crisis, Radio Amateurs of Canada is pleased to announce that it is introducing a new online Amateur Ra- dio course so that individuals can upgrade their qualifications while continuing to practise social/physical distancing. The RAC Online Basic Amateur Radio Qualification Course prepares stu- dents for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) Basic Qualification Level Operator Certificate exam to operate on allocated Amateur Radio frequencies. The course will use the GoToMeeting web-based service and will start on Thursday, April 16 and will finish in mid-June. Classes will be held on Thursday evenings from 6 pm to 8:30 (1800 ? 2030) Eastern Time (1900 ? 2130 Atlantic Time) and Sunday afternoons 1 pm to 3:30 pm (1300 ? 1530) Eastern Time (1400 ? 1630 Atlantic Time). The course instructor is Al Penney, VO1NO. Al was first licensed in 1977 and has been active in many areas of Amateur Radio including con- testing, DXing, VHF/UHF weak signal, satellites, emergency communica- tions and DXpeditioning. He has served as the President of six differ- ent Amateur Radio clubs in both Canada and the United States and cur- rently chairs the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) Region 2 Band Planning Committee. Al has taught the Basic Qualification Amateur Radio Course since 1994. Cost: The registration fee for the course is $50 plus GST/HST. The cost of the Basic Study Guide is extra and an order link will be pro- vided upon completion of payment. For more information please visit: https://www.rac.ca/basic-radio-course/ [ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT South Africa Reports Good Progress with AfriCUBE AMSATSA held its regular online progress meeting this past Wednesday. During the past few weeks, progress was made on all fronts. The trans- ponder was tested on the air and an actual contact was made through the transponder. Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP installed the transponder on the tower at his house and made a contact with Keith Laaks, ZS6TW. While it was only over a few kilometres distance, the importance of the contact was that there was no interference and the audio quality was good. This past week Anton Janovsky, ZR6AIC has worked on the software and through a complicated link managed to upload and install newer soft- ware remotely. ?Anton connected to my computer and took over the machine using TeamViewer and then connected via Wi-Fi to the trans- ponder on my tower,? Hannes, ZS6BZP said. ?In normal times we would have simply exchanged a memory stick, but in abnormal times one has to resort to unconventional ways of doing things?. Further updates will be uploaded this weekend with more testing of the transponder. The next step is to open the testing to local radio ama- teurs. Full details will be announced on SARL News and on the AMSAT SA Web. The full AfriCUBE development story is available on www.amsatsa.org.za. The review meeting was also updated with the other components of Afri- CUBE. The space frame is complete, the PC boards for the solar panels have been designed and will be manufactured as soon as the lockdown is over. Work is continuing on the antenna and solar panel deployment and a further prototype will be manufactured as soon as South Africa returns to normal work. The electronic power supply unit is complete. A new interface between the Raspberry Pi and the processor has been designed and the circuit board laid out. [ANS thanks the South African Radio League for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2020-03-30 21:00 UTC Quick list of scheduled contacts and events: TBD Looking for some stay at home activities related to science and for when you are not playing on your radio? Check out these links: Celestron, the telescope, microscope, and sports optics folks, now has something called #STEMINYOURBACKYARD that you can find on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. By the way, I don't work for Celestron or have any business dealings with them and this is just something I saw. Apparently there are 10 free STEM activities covering Astronomy, ature and Wildlife, and The Microscopic World. Check out: https://www.celestron.com/blogs/news/discover-stem-in-your-backyard NASA has a STEM page with fun activities to do at home. Check out https://www.nasa.gov/stem ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancel- lations or postponements of school contacts. As always, I will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. The following schools have now been postponed or canceled due to COVID -19: Postponed: * SPDW Voortrekker Movement, Oranjeville, South Africa, direct via ZS9SPD * RO-SAT One, Piatra-Neam?, Romania, direct via YR?ISS * McConnell Middle School, Loganville, GA, prefer direct via KD4TGR * Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, direct via N4FR * Oakwood School, Morgan Hill, CA, direct via AE6XM * Ramona Lutheran School, Ramona, CA, direct via N6ROR Canceled: * Electromagnetic Field, Ledbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4EMF The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/ Watch for future COVID-19 related announcements here also. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, of the ARISS Operations Team, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: May 2, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX October 16-18, 2020, AMSAT Symposium and Annual General Meeting, Bloomington, MN The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Brainerd, MN May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services 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 + From the Mountains to the Bay (CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02, 10,11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020 RJ, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to Vaca- ville, CA. He?s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered include: CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv- ices for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + At 15:41 UTC on April 2nd, the thrusters of Progress MS-13 fired for 427.5 seconds to provide ?v 0.48. m/s and raise the ISS's orbit height by about 0.9 km. (ANS thanks @Zarya_info on Twitter) + New distance records have been claimed for XW-2B and EO-88. F4DXV reports working VO1FOG on XW-2B on April 1st and again on EO-88 on April 2nd. The 4,086 km trans-Atlantic QSOs are the longest claimed on either of these two satellites. For more records, check https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ + The Folding at home project is a distributed computing project that is currently running calculations to analyze protein structures on the COVID-19 virus. Donate your spare computer time to help this project and consider joining AMSAT's team (#67910). More information at https://foldingathome.org/covid19/ AMSAT's team standings can be found at https://stats.foldingathome.org/team/69710 + The 2020 Eastern VHF/UHF Conference has been canceled, so there will be no Proceedings published. All the papers submitted so far are now available online at: http://newsvhf.com/conference/2020papers.html (more papers may be coming - there is no hard deadline) (ANS thanks the 2020 Eastern VHF/UHF Conference) + AMSAT-EA has applied for IARU coordination of the Hades satellite. Hades, a 1.5p Pocketqube will feature a V/U linear transponder, a re- generative transponder for FM/FSK/ASK and 0.05kbps-125kbps ASK/FSK/PSK telemetry, store & forward and data transmission from ground stations. (ANS thanks the IARU for the above information) + Bob Beatty, WB4SON, reported a successful "Satellites for Beginners" presentation via Zoom to the Rochester VHF Society on Saturday, April 4th. If your group would like to host a virtual AMSAT presentation, email ambassadors at amsat.org. + Happy First Contact Day! 43 years from today, Zefram Cochrane will break the warp barrier with the Phoenix and make first contact with the Vulcans. --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun Apr 12 00:05:59 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 11 Apr 2020 17:05:59 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-103 AMSAT Weekly News Bulletin Message-ID: <000c01d6105e$26350ef0$729f2cd0$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-103 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * ARISS Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic * New TQSL Version Provides Better LoTW Rover Support * AMSAT-EA Registering SanoSat-1 for AMSAT Nepal * ESA and LibreSpace Report: SDR's for Small Satellites * Brazil Holds 430 and 1240 MHz Hearing * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-103.01 ANS-103 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 103.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. April 12, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-103.01 ARISS Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the ARISS team is working to transform its activities for the health and safety of our students, host educational institutions and its team. It has instituted an immediate response effort followed by a more strategic, longer term initiative to protect all. ARISS leadership, working with a physician on the team, is carefully reviewing all of its procedures in light of the evolving COVID-19 recommendation. ARISS will continue to monitor the local and global situations and will modify its local and global planning as these situations change. ARISS has two primary initiatives underway. One is to develop ?virtual school? contacts to link each student in their home through its telebridge stations. The other is to plan SSTV (picture downlink) sessions during which pictures from ISS can be received by all in their homes. For further information on the ARISS plan, see: https://www.ariss.org/COVID-19.html [ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New TQSL Version Provides Better LoTW Rover Support The latest version of TrustedQSL (TQSL), version 2.5.2, offers improved Logbook of The World (LoTW) support for operations from several locations, as well as the ability to detect uploads that contain incorrect location data. The primary new feature in TQSL 2.5.2 allows logging programs, in conjunction with TQSL, to avoid incorrect contact uploads, while adding mechanisms to allow easy uploading of logs for roving stations. LoTW had required rovers to identify each location used as a separate location in TQSL. The new version of TQSL allows these operations to be handled much more smoothly by using information from the station?s logging program. When a log is signed by TQSL, the station details ? call Sign, DXCC entity, grid square, and other location details provided by the selected station location (and call sign certificate) ? are compared with the details in the log. If the US state and station location in a log do not agree, TQSL 2.5.2 will reject the contact, detecting errors in instances when an incorrect station location has been chosen. This feature will necessitate changes in many logging programs, because it requires that the log provide station details previously not used by TQSL. Once a logging program supplies these (MY_STATE, MY_DXCC, MY_CQ_ZONE, etc.), then TQSL will validate them against the log. Currently, Cabrillo logs use the CALLSIGN field to verify that the contacts are for the correct call sign. Optionally, a station performing roaming operations (e.g., from multiple grid squares) can choose to have TQSL assume that the log is correct. When call sign or home station are provided with the log, TQSL will automatically update the details on the upload. Select ?Override Station Location with QTH Details from your Log? on the ?Log Handling? preference page to enable this feature. This release also includes an update to the most recent TQSL configuration file. [ANS thanks the ARRL 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-EA Registering SanoSat-1 for AMSAT Nepal The Union of Spanish Amateur Radio Operators' satellite group, AMSAT-EA, is registering with IARU and the ITU the AMSAT Nepal satellite SanoSat-1. This is being done due to the difficulty of carrying out this procedure in the Asian country. This is a one-off collaboration which will allow said satellite to fly under the Spanish flag. It should be launched jointly with the AMSAT-EA EASAT-2 and Hades satellites possibly with SpaceX later this year. SanoSat-1 is a 5cm/side pocketQube 1P designed and developed affordably for the hobbyist community by using readily available commercial of-the-shelf components (COTS). The SanoSat-1 satellite integrates a gamma radiation sensor as a payload. Its main mission will be to measure space radiation while orbiting, and periodically transmit its level to Earth using RTTY-FSK modulation. All radio amateurs will be able to receive and decode radiation measurement data. The secondary mission of the SanoSat-1 satellite is also to demonstrate the storage and forwarding concept which will be useful in remote disaster-prone locations. The satellite will collect data from ground sensors, store it on board and transmit it to Earth's main station. The design and kit for the ground sensors will be made available to the general public. One of AMSAT Nepal's goals is to encourage more people to join the group of radio amateurs by receiving data from SanoSat-1 which will also transmit a CW beacon with its internal status. Another activity scheduled to promote radio amateurs and satellite technology to science and technology students around the world is the organization of hands-on workshops on the construction of pico-satellites and ground stations. There will be an opportunity to build an affordable open source ground station (SatNOGS) and a dedicated GFSK receiver ground station to receive the data. The design of the satellite itself will be open source as well. More information is available at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-SanoSat-1 [ANS thanks the Union of Spanish Amateur Radio Operators 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ESA and LibreSpace Report: SDR's for Small Satellites The European Space Agency Libre Space Foundation has published a paper comparing many common software defined radios (SDR's). The devices they examined are: - RTS-SDR v3 - Airspy Mini - SDRPlay RSPduo - LimeSDR Mini - BladeRF 2.0 Micro - Ettus USRP B210 - Pluto SDR The report looked at several bands of interest, but not the HF bands ? not surprising considering that some of the devices can?t even operate on HF. They did examine VHF, UHF, L band, S band, and C band performance. Some of the SDR's have transmit capabilities, and for those devices, they tested the transmit function as well as receive. The review isn?t just subjective. It calculates noise figures and dynamic range, along with other technical parameters. It also includes GNURadio flowgraphs for their test setups, which would be a place to start if one wanted to do these kinds of measurements oneself. Towards the end of the 134 page report is an assessment of SDR software and how the boards are supported. There was no clear winner or loser although the report did mention how SDRPlay?s closed source limited software support in some applications. Read the complete report at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-SDR-Report [ANS thanks Hackaday for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Brazil Holds 430 and 1240 MHz Hearing A public hearing is being held in Brazil concerning both the 430 MHz and the 1240 MHz Amateur Radio bands. On March 23, 2020 the National Telecommunications Agency, ANATEL, published a Public Consultation proposal number 14/2020 on technical and operational requirements for the use of the frequency bands from 430 MHz to 440 MHz and from 1240 MHz to 1300 MHz by stations of the Private Limited Service (SLP) for radiolocation applications. The national amateur radio society LABRE says ?The Radio Amateur community is concerned about the possible occurrence of interference, especially in the 70 cm band.? Read the translated LABRE post at: https://tinyurl.com/BrazilLABRE. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations - From the Mountains to the Bay(CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02, 10,11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020 RJ, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to Vacaville, CA. He?s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered include: CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates. The following schools have now been postponed or canceled due to COVID-19: Postponed: - SPDW Voortrekker Movement, Oranjeville, South Africa, direct via ZS9SPD - RO-SAT One, Piatra-Neam?, Romania, direct via YR?ISS - McConnell Middle School, Loganville, GA, prefer direct via KD4TGR - Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN, direct via N4FR - Oakwood School, Morgan Hill, CA, direct via AE6XM - Ramona Lutheran School, Ramona, CA, direct via N6ROR Canceled: - Electromagnetic Field, Ledbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4EMF [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Due to COVID-19, many hamfests and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. Current schedule: - May 2, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI - June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: - April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Brainerd, MN - May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ - May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ - May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH [ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Shorts from All Over + Fresh ISS Crew Arrives NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and two Russian cosmonauts arrived Thursday for their mission aboard the International Space Station, temporarily restoring the orbiting laboratory?s population to six people. The Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft carrying Cassidy, along with Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, docked to the station's Poisk service module at 10:13 A.M. after a four-orbit, six-hour flight. Their Soyuz spacecraft launched at 4:05 A.M. EDT (0805Z, or 1:05 P.M. Kazakhstan time) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. [ANS thanks NASA for the above information.] + Rocket Lab Rocket Recovery Test Video Before New Zealand went into COVID-19 lockdown, the folks at Rocket Lab did a test to recover a first stage Electron rocket. You can see the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3CWGDhkmbs [ANS thanks Terry Osborne ZL2BAC for the above information.] + Preparing for the Ultimate DXpedition? Read the Manual First! For those of you who have been dreaming about operating from the moon or Mars, you can begin your preparations by reading SpaceX's Starship User Guide Version 1.0. No, it's not a detailed flight manual but it will help you plan your provisions. It's light reading and can be seen at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-Starship [ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information.] + First Transatlantic Contact on 70 Centimeters Reported History appears to have been made on April 7, when AMSAT member Burt Demarcq, FG8OJ and an operator at D4VHF in Cape Verde off the African Coast and , on Guadeloupe in the Caribbean completed a contact on 70 centimeters using FT8 ? a distance of 3,867 kilometers (2,398 miles). This would mark the first transatlantic contact on that band that did not involve satellites or moonbounce. The most likely mode of propagation was marine ducting, with the signal being trapped close to the ocean surface. One day earlier, 9Y4D in Trinidad copied D4VHF over a distance of 4,006 kilometers (2,484 miles), but no contact was made. D4VHF is the VHF-UHF contest call sign of the Monteverde Contest Team (D4C). Perhaps not coincidentally, FG8OJ was the first to span the Atlantic on 2 meters over the same path, when he worked D41CV in Cape Verde on June 16, 2019. [ANS thanks the ARRL 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun Apr 19 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 18 Apr 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-110 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-110 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals * House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris * 3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted * New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store * Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR * Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-110.01 ANS-110 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 110.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 April 19 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-110.01 ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals ARRL Washington Counsel Dave Siddall, K3ZJ, and AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, on April 8, discussed with senior FCC International Bureau staff by telephone the FCC?s draft Report & Order (R&O) on mitigation of orbital debris (IB Docket No. 18-313). The ama- teur representatives told the FCC staff that ?two aspects of the draft regulations are of particular concern?. and would seriously hinder amateur radio?s future operations in space, if adopted as proposed without the relatively minor changes that we propose.? First, ARRL and AMSAT requested a revision to proposed language that otherwise would allow only private individual licensees to indemnify the U.S. for the operations of an amateur space satellite. ARRL and AMSAT requested that satellite owners be added to that provision. The amateur representatives, noting that amateur radio licensees may only be individuals under the amateur rules, stated that ?[i]n no other service would an individual be required to personally make a similar indemnification? and that ?it would be difficult to impossible to find an individual Amateur Radio licensee willing to bear that risk.? Second, ARRL and AMSAT asked the FCC to delay by 3 years the proposed effective date of April 23, 2022, for a rule that would require satel- lite operators to certify that space stations ?be designed with the maneuvering capabilities sufficient to perform collision avoidance? for spacecraft designed to operate above 400 kilometers in altitude. Citing the long lead times to design and construct Amateur satellites, ARRL and AMSAT suggested that a more reasonable date would be April 23, 2025 and noted that, based on recent past years, only an estimated 3-5 amateur satellites likely would be launched during the extra period. ?We do not disagree with the purpose of this requirement,? they told the FCC staff, but ?the proposed effective date is unreasonable in the case of amateur radio satellites.? The new effective date ?would allow time for amateur spacecraft designers to adapt to this new require- ment,? they said. Citing the value of amateur satellites to the development of the com- mercial small satellite industry, and student participation in such projects, ARRL and AMSAT said a strong and robust Amateur Satellite Service will help inspire future developments in satellite technology. The requested changes to the draft R&O would help ensure that amateur radio continues to have a future in space and contribute to the public interest on an educational, non-pecuniary basis. The FCC is expected to consider the R&O at its April 23 open meeting. The AMSAT/ARRL document may be read in full at: https://bit.ly/2KjfHjf [ANS thanks the American Radio Relay League for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Space & Aeronautics Subcom- mittee Ranking Member Brian Babin, and Space & Aeronautics Subcommit- tee Chairwoman Kendra Horn sent a letterrequesting that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) delay on their Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age. The Science Committee Members raised a number of concerns with moving forward on the rule, including the timing of the action during the COVID-19 pandemic. ?Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the immense effort undertaken to recover from the pandemic, and the potential for the FCC?s proposal to exacerbate im- pacts on U.S. industry and international competitiveness at a critical period in our nation?s history, we hope that you will agree to postpone future action,? the letter reads. The letter also raises substantive concerns with the rule itself, the rulemaking process, and the potential for regulatory and legislative inconsistency, noting significant concerns from stakeholders [inclu- ding AMSAT]. ??The proposal contradicts Executive Branch policy and is inconsistent with existing and proposed legislative action,? the letter states. ?Regulatory action by the FCC at this time, without clear authority from Congress, will at the very least create confusion and undermine the Commission?s work, and at worst undermine U.S. economic competi- tiveness and leadership in space.? The letter also mentions that FCC action could duplicate efforts at the Department of Commerce. ?The full text of the letter is available at: https://bit.ly/3bhJqoC [ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted AMSAT VP - Educational Relations, Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, posted his build of the 3D printed 'Universal 1U Cubesat Frame' by Juliano85 at: https://thingiverse.com/make:789484 Alan notes, "It is a perfect frame for the new AMSAT CubeSatSim, a low cost CubeSat functional satellite model." Information on building the Simulator can found at: http://cubesatsim.org The CubeSatSim is a low cost satellite emulator that runs on solar pan- els and batteries, and transmits UHF radio telemetry. The simulator is a tool for education and demonstrations. It can be used in a classroom or training setting to introduce the basics of satellites, or it can be used to teach STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) con- cepts. It can also be a stepping stone in a project to build and launch an actual flight model CubeSat. [ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, VP - Educational Relations, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store Thanks to an post on Twitter from Michael Styne, K2MTS, AMSAT is pleased to offer a new t-shirt on the AMSAT Zazzle Store. This t- shirt design is available in variants suitable for printing on either dark or lightly colored shirts. The shirt features a representation of AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in orbit with the tagline "OSCAR - Adventure and Excitement in Space Age Communication" This image was used in advertisements for the 1978 ARRL book "Getting to Know OSCAR." The ARRL has granted AMSAT permission to republish this classic image as a t-shirt. Get yours today! 25% of the purchase price goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_dark-235643945481104970 https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_light-235449229998854129 [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR Zoltan Doczi (HA7DCD) has published a tutorial that shows how to re- ceive signals from the SMOG-P and ATL-1 nano satellites which were launched via Rocket Lab back in late 2019. SMOG-P is a Hungarian nano satellite developed by BME University. It's payload consists of an on board spectrum analyzer that is designed to measure electromagnetic pollution (electrosmog) from space, and to al- so monitor the DVB-T spectrum. It currently holds the title of the world's smallest satellite in operation. ATL-1 is another Hungarian satellite this time developed by ATL Ltd. Its mission is to test a new thermal isolation material in space and to monitor the DVB-T spectrum. To receive telemetry from these satellites one can use a Raspberry Pi, RTL-SDR, Yagi, and optionally an LNA and filter. In his post Zoltan shows how to install the SMOG-P decoder, and provides a script that automatically decodes, uploads packets to the BME University server, and archives old IQ files and packets. Zoltan notes that if you wish to receive these satellites, now is the time to do so as these nano satellites are in a very low orbit and on- ly have an orbital lifespan of only 6-8 months total. The full blog post with photos may be found at: https://bit.ly/2VeTk56 and at https://bit.ly/3cnfV4Z [ANS thanks Zoltan Doczi, HA7DCD, and RTL-SDR.com for the above infor- mation] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations The official corporate blogs of two businesses closely related to the amateur radio market have focused attention on introducing newcomers to the world of satellites in this past week. Icom America, Inc. and DX Engineering have both featured satellite operations in blog posts, and have promoted these posts on their corporate social media channels. Electronics manufacturer Icom America featured a post introducing sat- ellite operations to newcomers this week. The blog post, authored by Jim Wilson, K5ND, is titled, "Satellite Operations ? Amazing Technol- ogy, Grids and Grins." The post is dated April 13, 2020. In a social media post the same day, @IcomAmericaInc tweeted: "Have you ever tried satellite operations? If you haven't, we have a short blog by Jim Wilson @k5nd that can spark your interest. Find out more at: https://bit.ly/2WWF0PU " The blog entry, which includes many photos and graphics, offers some basic information on satellites currently available, discusses ideas for possible ground stations, and mentions satellite operating activi- ties such as DX, grid chasing, and roaming. The post also includes a link to amsat.org and promotes the 2019 Edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, published by AMSAT. [ANS thanks Icom America for the above information] Also, amateur radio retailer DX Engineering placed a satellite post in the Technical Articles section of their "On All Bands" blog. The post, by Sean Kutzko, KX9X, appeared on April 15. Titled, "How to Predict and Track a Satellite Pass," the post offers a basic primer on satellite tracking and reviews a number of online sat- ellite tracking sites, as well as some of the available tracking soft- ware and apps for Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems. SatPC32, which is available through AMSAT, is prominently mentioned. A Tweet from @SeanKutzko states: "To access a #hamradio satellite, you have to know when it?s above the horizon and where to point your an- tenna. My latest blog for @DXEngineering shows you how to do both! https://onallbands.com/how-to-predict-and-track-a-satellite-pass/ @AMSAT #amsat #hamr #arrl #KX9X" [ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Due to COVID-19, there are no announced satellite operations at this moment. Any roving activity of which AMSAT becomes aware will be post- ed at: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ Until then, stay safe and keep making contacts from home. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir- ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions. ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem- ber in their own homes (even quarantined). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: (May 2, 2020) Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI has been postponed to September 26, 2020 June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale, AZ March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA April 4, 2020 River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society Presentation, Faribault, MN April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Brainerd, MN May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The Hubble Space Telescope explores the universe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means it has observed some fascinating cosmic won- der every day of the year, including on your birthday. What did Hub- ble look at on your birthday? Enter the month and date to find out at: https://go.nasa.gov/2RJeAxu (ANS thanks NASA.gov for the above information) + The Youth on the Air Camp in the Americas, a summer camp for licens- ed amateur radio operators ages 15 through 25 that was scheduled to take place June 21 through June 26, 2020 at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester Township (North Cin- cinnati), Ohio has been postponed until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A satellite session had been planned for this event. For more information about YOTA in the Americas can be found at YouthOnTheAir.org. (ANS thanks Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, for the above informa- tion) + Houston, we?ve had a problem. April 11th marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13?s launch. Check out the amazing Apollo 13 in Real Time to follow the mission as it happened or jump to any point in the mis- sion timeline) at: https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/ NASA also re- leased "Apollo 13: Home Safe," a 30 minute documentary that follows the mission, available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM8kjDF0IJU Apollo 13 remains one of the greatest all-time feats of human ingenuity and improvisation under pressure. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + Space has not been insulated from the virus. An article cataloging some of the impacts of the pandemic on the spaceflight, "How the Coronavirus Outbreak is Affecting the Space Industry," can be found at: http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=818620039 (ANS thanks SatMagazine for the above information) + The International Space Station Expedition 62 crew, consisting of NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir, Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan, KI5AAA, and Commander Oleg Skripochka, RA0LDJ, departed the Interna- tional Space Station and landed in Kazakhstan on Friday, 17 April. The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft undocked from the aft port of the sta- tion's Zvezda service module at 0153z Friday, and landed on the Kazakh steppe at 0516z. The replacement crew, consisting of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived at the ISS on April 9. (ANS thanks SpacelightNow for the above information) + ARRL members will now receive digital access to four ARRL magazines beginning with their latest issues. Joining QST and On the Air maga- zines on a digital platform will be the bimonthly editions of QEX ? The Forum for Communications Experimenters and NCJ ? National Con- test Journal. Print subscriptions of QEX and NCJ will continue to be available at additional cost for those who want to receive them. All four magazines are easily accessed through any web browser from members-only links, or via the free ARRL Magazines app is available for iOS and Android. (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information) + Intelsat?s IS-901 satellite is nearly 20 years old, and well beyond its expected lifespan, but a small spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman succeeded in docking with the satellite and giving it an- other five years of service, the companies announced on Friday. The feat is a space industry first. Full article at: https://tinyurl.com/y7ta8qzr (ANS thanks Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, and CNBC.com for the above infor- mation) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org From ki7unj at gmail.com Sun Apr 26 00:01:14 2020 From: ki7unj at gmail.com (KI7UNJ Tucker) Date: Sat, 25 Apr 2020 17:01:14 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-117 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-117 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * March/April 2020 Edition of Apogee View Posted * Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator * Let's Take Some Pictures * Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution * The W4AMI Award and How to Obtain One * New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-117.01 ANS-117 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 117.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 April 26 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-117.01 March/April 2020 Edition of Apogee View Posted The March/April 2020 edition of Apogee View, a comprehensive update on AMSAT's activities from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, has been posted to the AMSAT website. https://www.amsat.org/apogeeview/ [ANS thanks AMSAT the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator Scott Tilley, VE7TIL, has made the news once again for tracking down yet another "zombie" satellite. Scott was the subject of a report broadcast on National Public Radio on Friday, April 24. This time, he managed to identify signals from LES-5, an experimental military UHF communications satellite built by the Massachusetts Insti- tute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory and launched in 1967. Even though the satellite was supposed to shut down in 1972, it's still go- ing. As long as the solar panels are in the sun, the satellite's radio continues to operate. In 2018, Tilly found a signal from a NASA probe called IMAGE that the space agency had lost track of in 2005. With Tilley's help, NASA was able to reestablish contact. He has rediscovered several other long- forgotten birds, including Transit 5B-5, a nuclear-powered U.S. Navy navigation satellite launched in 1965. Scott announced his findings on LES-5 through his Twitter account, @coastal8049, on March 24. The full NPR story may be found at: https://n.pr/2x64aAZ. [ANS thanks NPR.org for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Let's Take Some Pictures The command team has had a few requests for camera mode on AO-92 over the last few weeks, and it?s been a while, so let?s take some pictures next week. Next Tuesday morning, April 28th, we?ll attempt to command the camera on at approximately 1440Z and 1612Z. We?ll also try the 1750Z pass. If we can?t command on the 1750Z pass, we?ll find a suitable pass later in the week for the west coast. Take a look at https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/ for a guide on how to set up FoxTelem, and https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 for near-live images as we go. Remember, the more stations submitting telemetry during the event, the better the chance of complete images! [ANS thanks Andrew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution Last week's AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletin (ANS-110.01) contained a news item entitled "Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR" from Zoltan Doczi, HA7DCD. Please note that on December 19, 2019 AMSAT designated SMOG-P as Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and ATL-1 as Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106). In the AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution, the TLEs for these two Hungarian satellites are shown as follows: MO-105 is NORAD Cat ID 44832 (SMOG-P) MO-106 is NORAD Cat ID 44830 (ATL-1) [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- The W4AMI Award and How to Obtain One Just a little history, Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI, was a very prolific operator and in his honor this certificate was created and the first certificate was issued to him on June 27, 1994. He has since become an SK and his local club has taken over his call sign. The award was originally the W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. The local club asked me not to use their call sign for the award. I changed the award to The Robert W. Barbee, Jr. W4AMI Satellite Operator Achievement Award. And here we are today, finally having issued over 100 certificates and over 30 of the 5,000 certificates. This award is for making 1,000 contacts with any station any time. You can say hello to your friend on every satellite on every pass every day and count those contacts. That being said, any contact you log counts. The award has endorsements for making 1,000 more contacts up to 4,000. Another 1,000 contacts will earn a special W4AMI 5,000 certificate. To submit for the award, please email me an extract from your log either in Microsoft Excel XLS(X) format or ADI(F) format. Either will work just fine. Then wait for me to get back to you notifying you to go online and make your payment. I need nothing from LoTW, confirmed contacts are not an issue, this award is for simply making a contact. https://www.amsat.org/amsat-robert-w-barbee-jr-w4ami-award/ [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store Thanks to an post on Twitter from Michael Styne, K2MTS, AMSAT is pleased to offer a new t-shirt on the AMSAT Zazzle Store. This t- shirt design is available in variants suitable for printing on either dark or lightly colored shirts. The shirt features a representation of AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in orbit with the tagline "OSCAR - Adventure and Excitement in Space Age Communication" This image was used in advertisements for the 1978 ARRL book "Getting to Know OSCAR." The ARRL has granted AMSAT permission to republish this classic image as a t-shirt. Get yours today! 25% of the purchase price goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space. https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_dark-235643945481104970 https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_light-235449229998854129 [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations ZW8, BRAZIL (Special Event). Operators Freddy/PY3YD, Joselito/PS8BR, Fernando/PS8CW, Raimundo/PS8DX, Jose/PS8ET, Milton/PS8HF, Nelson/PS8NF, Pirajah/PS8RF, Dalton/PS8TV and Andre/PT9AL are using the special event callsign ZW8THANKS as a tribute to health care professionals fighting COVID-19. Activity will be on all bands and modes including the satel- lites. QSL via direct, eQSL or LoTW. (ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1461 for the above information) Due to COVID-19, there are no other announced satellite operations at this moment. Any roving activity of which AMSAT becomes aware will be posted at: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ Until then, stay safe and keep making contacts from home. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir- ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. Northern Virginia Schools Group, Woodbridge VA, Multi-point telebridge contact via AB1OC is scheduled for Thursday, April 30. The ISS call- sign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS, and the scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR. The contact is go for 13:35:00 UTC at a max- imum elevation of 62 degrees. Stations in the eastern U.S. should be able to listen in on this contact on 145.80 MHz FM. A multi-point tele- bridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home. The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions. ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem- ber in their own homes (even quarantined). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX September 26, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra Vista, AZ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Diwata-2 (PO-101) has been active daily to provide emergency access during Covid-19 pandemic. Check https://twitter.com/Diwata2PH For Daily activation schedule (ANS thanks DIWATA-2 Ground Team for the above information) + On this 50th anniversary of the flight of Apollo 13, the BBC has pro- duced a documentary video series, "13 Minutes to the Moon," along with associated web resources and podcasts. The documentary can be accessed worldwide at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/w13xttx2 (ANS thanks Peter Green, G0ABI, for the above information) + Happy 30th anniversary, Hubble! The Hubble Space Telescope was laun- ched into LEO on April 24th, 1990 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery STS-31 launch video). Featuring a 2.4 m mirror and optics that are smooth to 10 nanometers (but were in the wrong shape until corrected by the first of five servicing missions in 1993), Hubble takes images of the Universe with never-before-seen quality. The telescope may work into the 2040s, hopefully being joined by its more-advanced sib- ling, the JWST, next year. Take a moment to browse some of Hubble?s most stunning snapshots of the Universe at: https://www.spacetelescope.org/images/ (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + Astronauts onboard the International Space Station have gotten a first good look at the controversial Starlink satellites. On April 13th, they photographed a train of 16 Starlinks cutting through Southern Lights over the Antarctic. Learn more about their unique photo + corresponding ground-based sightings on Spaceweather.com (ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information) + SpaceX launched 60 more spacecraft Wednesday to join the Starlink fleet. The successful launch Wednesday marked the 84th flight of a Falcon 9 rocket since June 2010. That makes SpaceX?s Falcon 9 the most-flown orbital-class U.S. launcher currently in operation, ex- ceeding the 83 missions performed by the Atlas 5 rocket built by rival United Launch Alliance. With Wednesday?s launch, SpaceX has delivered 422 Starlink satellites to space. The company is seeking regulatory approval to fly 4,400 of the satellites in the project's first phase. SpaceX?s next Starlink launch after Wednesday could happen as soon as early May on another Falcon 9 rocket mission. That will be followed by SpaceX?s first launch with astronauts on-board ? scheduled for May 27 ? to begin a test flight of the company?s Crew Dragon spaceship to the International Space Station. (ANS thanks spaceflightnow.com for the above information) + A series of unusually severe spring storms parading across the south- eastern USA had residents taking shelter this week from hail and tor- nadoes. High above the maelstrom, sprites were dancing. Sprites are a form of electricity in powerful storm clouds. While regular light- ning lances down, sprites leap up. They can reach all the way to the edge of space 90 km or more above Earth?s surface. (ANS thanks Southgate ARC and spaceweatherarchive.com for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ ki7unj at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Fri May 1 12:30:20 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Fri, 1 May 2020 05:30:20 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-122 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - New AMSAT Membership Portal Launched, March/April 2020 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-122 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * New AMSAT Membership Portal Launched, March/April 2020 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-122 ANS-122 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 122.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE May 1, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-122.01 New AMSAT Membership Portal Launched, March/April 2020 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the AMSAT office, the March/April 2020 edition of The AMSAT Journal will not be printed and mailed to members. Instead, a full-color PDF is being made available on the AMSAT website. The issue can be downloaded below: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-MarAprJournal This issue includes detailed information about AMSAT's new online membership portal, now active at https://launch.amsat.org. AMSAT members are encouraged to review this article, which includes detailed instructions on accessing your membership account. Stay tuned for more features, including members-only content coming soon. Articles in the March/April 2020 edition of The AMSAT Journal: * Apogee View - Clayton Coleman, W5PFG * Engineering Update - Jerry Buxton, N0JY * Treasurer's Report - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * AMSAT's New Member and Event Portal - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * amsatLink ? Proposed Wireless Communications Network - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * Educational Relations Update - Alan Johnston, KU2Y * A New Design for the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator - Alan Johnston, KU2Y; Jim McLaughlin, KI6ZUM; David White, WD6DRI; Pat Kilroy, N8PK * For Beginners ? Amateur Radio Satellite Primer IV - Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF * PSAT 1U ? A Low-Cost, EasyBuild 1U CubeSat - George Downey, Robert Bruninga, WB4APR * Gridmaster Heat Map - Paul Overn, KE0PBR [ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun May 3 00:00:07 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 2 May 2020 17:00:07 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-124 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-124 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * New AMSAT Membership Portal Launched, March/April 2020 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available * AMSAT President Hails Launch of Wild Apricot Membership Portal * Call for Nominations - 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors Election * RS-44 Transponder Now Active * Virginia Tech Camera on AO-92 Takes Stunning Photos, Additional Passes Planned Tuesday, May 5th * Redesigned AMSAT CubeSat Simulator Launched * Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 30, 2020 * FCC Adopts Updated Orbital Debris Mitigation Rules * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for April 2020 * Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge Virtual Hackathon, May 30-31 * On-Line Student STEM: TI Codes Contest 2020 * First Guatemalan Satellite Deployed from the ISS * Former AMSAT Area Coordinator, Prominent DXer Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, SK * During the COVID-19 Pandemic, ARISS to Begin Experimental Demonstra- tions of School Contacts using a Multipoint Telebridge Amateur Radio Approach * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-124.01 ANS-124 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 124.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE May 3, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-124.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ New AMSAT Membership Portal Launched, March/April 2020 Edition of The AMSAT Journal Now Available Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the closure of the AMSAT office, the March/April 2020 edition of The AMSAT Journal will not be printed and mailed to members. Instead, a full-color PDF is being made available on the AMSAT website. The issue can be downloaded below: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-MarAprJournal This issue includes detailed information about AMSAT's new online membership portal, now active at https://launch.amsat.org. AMSAT members are encouraged to review this article, which includes detailed instructions on accessing your membership account. Stay tuned for more features, including members-only content coming soon. Articles in the March/April 2020 edition of The AMSAT Journal: * Apogee View - Clayton Coleman, W5PFG * Engineering Update - Jerry Buxton, N0JY * Treasurer's Report - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * AMSAT's New Member and Event Portal - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * amsatLink ? Proposed Wireless Communications Network - Robert Bankston, KE4AL * Educational Relations Update - Alan Johnston, KU2Y * A New Design for the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator - Alan Johnston, KU2Y; Jim McLaughlin, KI6ZUM; David White, WD6DRI; Pat Kilroy, N8PK * For Beginners ? Amateur Radio Satellite Primer IV - Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF * PSAT 1U ? A Low-Cost, EasyBuild 1U CubeSat - George Downey, Robert Bruninga, WB4APR * Gridmaster Heat Map - Paul Overn, KE0PBR [ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT President Hails Launch of Wild Apricot Membership Portal Friday, May 1, 2020 brings a significant change to AMSAT's member experience. The launch of our Wild Apricot-based member portal on this date retires the dBase database system launched in the early 1980s by then-President Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO (then W3IWI) and is the result of a process authorized by the Board of Directors in 2016. Members now have control over the own profiles. Member communications will be handled via email, resulting in significant cost reduction. Wild Apricot will not only serve AMSAT as our member management plat- form. Other capabilities will be released in the future such as event management, communications, and access to member-only content. Stay tuned for new capabilities being launched over the coming months. As this is a totally new system for AMSAT, we may face challenges ahead. I ask for your patience as the User Services team works through these challenges to provide our members the best user experience poss- ible. Ultimately, Wild Apricot is the right solution moving AMSAT for- ward both technologically and operationally. This effort would not have been possible without the hard work and leadership of Robert Bankston, KE4AL, in his position as Vice Pres- ident of User Services at AMSAT. Significant hours were put into this project. I applaud and congratulate Robert for a successful launch. 73, Clayton W5PFG AMSAT President [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Nominations - 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors Election AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following three incumbent Directors expire in 2020 and will be filled by this year's election: Tom Clark, K3IO; Mark Hammond, N8MH; and Bruce Paige, KK5DO. Further, up to two Alternate Directors may be elected for one-year terms. A valid nomination for Director must be written and requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT member. Written nominations, with the nominee?s name, call sign, and contact information, as well as the nominators' names, call signs, and contact information, should be sent to the AMSAT Secretary: Brennan Price, N4QX 300 Locust St SE, Unit E Vienna VA 22180-4869 brennanprice at verizon.net A copy should be sent to AMSAT Manager, Martha Saragovitz, at martha at amsat.org. The AMSAT bylaws require that the nomination be written and in the form specified by the Secretary. In light of the ongoing pandemic and the resulting closure of the physical office, the Secretary has elected to accept written nomination materials in electronic form, including e-mail or electronic image of a paper document. Fax trans- missions cannot be accepted due to the closure of the office. No matter what means are used, petitions MUST be received by the Secretary no later than June 15th. The Secretary will verify the qual- ifications of candidates and nominating members or Member Societies as petitions are received, and will notify candidates whether their nom- inations are in order by the end of June. [ANS thanks Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- RS-44 Transponder Now Active The amateur satellite world was surprised to wake up to the news on April 30th that a new transponder was activated for testing and open for use by amateurs worldwide Constructed by specialists at Information Satellite Systems and Students at Siberian State Aerospace University, DOSAAF-85 was launched on a Rockot/Breeze-KM launch vehicle from Plesetsk Cosmo- drome on December 26, 2019. The satellite apparently failed to separate from the upper stage of the launch vehicle and remains attached. The satellite?s name commemorates the 85th anniversary of the Voluntary Society for the Assistance to the Army, Aviation, and Navy (DOSAAF), the organization responsible for the military training of Soviet youth. Designated RS-44, or Radio Sputnik 44, the satellite carries a 60 kHz wide V/u linear transponder and a CW beacon. With an orbit of 1511 km x 1175 km and an inclination of 82.5 degrees, this is the highest orbiting functioning amateur satellite available worldwide. Due to the 1511 km apogee, regular DX contacts should be easy to make. The first claimed DX record came from Joe Werth, KE9AJ, and J?r?me LeCuyer, F4DXV, who reported a 6,993 km trans-Atlantic QSO between EN50gn09 in Illinois and JN04iu40 in France. This was quickly eclipsed less than 24 hours later when Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ, and Tetsurou Satou, JA0CAW, reported the first trans-Pacific QSO between CN93jw (Oregon, USA) and PM97nw (Niigata, Japan), a distance of 7,859 km. The theoretical max- imum range for QSOs via RS-44 is 7,942 km. The NORAD ID is 44909, object 2019-096E. Initial reports from the first days of operation suggest that the transponder is very sensitive and easily workable with low power and handheld antennas, however significant periodic fading is reported, likely due to the fact that the satellite remains attached to the upper stage of the launch vehicle and is unable to deploy its gravity gradient boom to stablize itself. The satellite is planned to remain continuously available for testing purposes until May 11th at which time a decision on further operations will be made. The Keplerian elements for RS-44 have been added to the AMSAT and CelesTrak distributions, as well as several popular tracking apps. The ARRL has released version 11.10 of the TQSL configuration file to add support for RS-44 to LoTW. RS-44 ? V/u Inverting Analog SSB/CW Uplink (LSB) 145.935 MHz through 145.995 MHz Downlink (USB) 435.610 MHz through 435.670 MHz CW Beacon 435.605 MHz [ANS thanks Dmitry Pashkov, R4UAB, Igor Blinov, RW3XL, Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, the ARRL, and others for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Tech Camera on AO-92 Takes Stunning Photos, Additional Passes Planned Tuesday, May 5th The Virginia Tech camera on board AO-92 was activated on two passes over North America on Tuesday, April 28th. Several great photos were taken, captured by amateur stations running FoxTelem, and uploaded to the AMSAT Central Scrutinizer. All of the photos taken by AO-92 can be viewed on the AMSAT website at the link below. The Virginia Tech camera will be activated again on Tuesday, May 5th during morning passes over the United States. The camera remains active for 45 minutes after being enabled by a ground station. Stations in the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Central, and South America are encouraged to set their stations up to receive and upload high speed telemetry in FoxTelem. FoxTelem downloads and instructions can be found at https://www.g0kla.com/foxtelem/index.php AO-92 Camera Image Archive: https://www.amsat.org/tlm/showImages.php?id=4 [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice President - Operations for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Redesigned AMSAT CubeSat Simulator Launched A new design for the CubeSatSim, the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator is now available on GitHub (http://cubesatsim.org/code). The CubeSatSim is a Raspberry Pi Zero W-based functional model of a ?1U? CubeSat nano- satellite for demonstrations and educational outreach. It has a 3D- printed frame structure and is designed to act, as reasonably as poss- ible, as one flying in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The simulator runs on rechargeable battery power and solar panels and transmits its authentic voltage, current, and temperature telemetry on the UHF Amateur Radio band. The CubeSatSim has been presented at the AMSAT Space Symposium the past two years and at Hamvention last year. The new design was developed to reduce the cost to build and to im- prove functionality. Jim McLaughlin, KI6ZUM, and David White, WD6DRI, are prominent STEM advocates and school mentors in the San Diego area. They offered to help redesign the hardware and collaborated with Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP Educational Relations, and Pat Kilroy, N8PK, over the past nine months. The resulting design has reduced the cost to build in half (from around $400 to around $200) and added a new Fox-1 emulation mode. In addition to the AFSK (Audio Frequency Shift Keying) and 1200 bps APRS (Automatic Packet Reporting System) telemetry in AO-7 format of the original design, the new version supports DUV (Data Under Voice) FSK (Frequency Shift Keying) 200 bps telemetry com- patible with Fox-1A through Fox-1D and BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) 1200 bps telemetry compatible with HuskySat-1 and the upcoming Fox-1E. Chris Thompson, G0KLA/AC2CZ, the author of AMSAT?s FoxTelem satellite telemetry software, has put out a testing version 1.09 of the software that supports the CubeSatSim. Instructions on how to download and con- figure this test version are on the GitHub Wiki. http://cubesatsim.org/wiki Also new to the CubeSatSim is a STEM Payload board with a STM32F103C8T6 ?Blue Pill? Arduino compatible microcontroller. The board also has a built-in BME-280 Temperature Humidity Barometric Pressure Sensor and an MPU-6050 (GY-521) 3-Axis Accelerometer and Gyro. Also new is a tape measure dipole or monopole or SMA antenna, an integrated Band Pass filter, and a sturdy new 3D printed frame and more powerful solar panels. A new Twitter account @CubeSatSim has also been launched. Follow to get the latest updates on the CubeSatSim including videos and photos. Links to all CubeSatSim resources are at CubeSatSim.org. More details on the redesigned CubeSatSim can be found in the March/ April 2020 edition of The AMSAT Journal, available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-MarAprJournal The CubeSatSim team wishes to thank the AMSAT board, President, and all AMSAT members for their ongoing support of this educational project. [ANS thanks Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT Vice President - Educational Relations for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for April 30, 2020 The following satellites have decayed from orbit and have been removed from this week's AMSAT TLE Distribution: ALMASAT-1 - NORAD Cat ID 38078 (Decayed from orbit April 25, 2020). nSIGHT1 - NORAD Cat ID 42726 (Decayed from orbit April 25, 2020). The following satellite has been activated and added to this week's AMSAT TLE Distribution: RS-44 - NORAD Cat ID 44909. Per Nico Janssen, PA0DLO concerning RS-44: "The new amateur payload DOSAAF 85 (RS-44) appears to work very well. Doppler measurements confirm that it is indeed object 44909, 2019-096E. The satellite identifies itself as "RS44" (i.e. Radio Sputnik 44) on its CW beacon on 435.6043 kHz. The passband is about 63 kHz wide. It may also have a downlink between 2400 and 2485 MHz. The frequencies of RS44/DOSAAF 85 have not been IARU coordinated. The satellite is in an elliptical orbit with a perigee of 1175 km, an apogee of 1511 km and an inclination of 82.5 degrees. The payload is apparently attached to the Breeze-KM upper stage of a Rokot launch vehicle that launched three Gonets satellites on December 26, 2019. It was originally expected to launch in 2015. It is based on the Yubileiniy platform." [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ FCC Adopts Updated Orbital Debris Mitigation Rules On April 23rd, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Report and Order (R&O) and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) updating rules on orbital debris mitigation for the first time since 2004. The newly adopted regulations increase the disclosure re- quirements for pre-space notifications submitted for amateur space stations. In the draft version of the R&O, released in early April, the FCC had included the adoption of additional requirements regarding indemni- fication and maneuverability. AMSAT, ARRL, university researchers, and satellite industry groups opposed certain aspects of these rules. In response, the Commission moved those provisions to a FNPRM for further comment. In addition to maneuverability and indemnification requirements for amateur space stations, the Commission also seeks comment on a disposal bond requirement for certain spacecraft. AMSAT is evaluating the FNPRM and will file comments expressing our views of the proposed regula- tions. The adopted R&O / FNPRM can be found at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/FCC-20-54A1.pdf [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for April 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period April 1, 2020 through May 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL Apr May KO4MA 1750 1753 K7TAB 531 600 AE5B 442 450 ND0C 301 346 N4DCW 201 300 KC9UQR 252 275 WA9JBQ 225 250 W4DTA 217 240 WI6K New 200 S57NML 126 179 DL4ZAB 150 172 KS1G 134 170 YO2CMI 100 168 KE0WPA 108 152 ZS5LEE New 105 VE3CGA New 100 If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at @.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] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge Virtual Hackathon, May 30-31 NASA, ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Explora- tion Agency) are inviting coders, entrepreneurs, scientists, designers, storytellers, makers, builders, artists, and technologists to partici- pate in a virtual hackathon May 30-31 dedicated to putting open data to work in developing solutions to issues related to the COVID-19 pan- demic. During the global Space Apps COVID-19 Challenge, participants from a- round the world will create virtual teams that - during a 48-hour per- iod - will use Earth observation data to propose solutions to COVID- 19-related challenges ranging from studying the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and its spread to the impact the disease is having on the Earth system. Registration for this challenge opens in mid-May. "There's a tremendous need for our collective ingenuity right now," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mis- sion Directorate. "I can?t imagine a more worthy focus than COVID-19 on which to direct the energy and enthusiasm from around the world with the Space Apps Challenge that always generates such amazing solutions." The unique capabilities of NASA and its partner space agencies in the areas of science and technology enable them to lend a hand during this global crisis. Since the start of the global outbreak, Earth science specialists from each agency have been exploring ways to use unique Earth observation data to aid understanding of the interplay of the Earth system -- on global to local scales -- with aspects of the COVID- 19 outbreak, including, potentially, our ability to combat it. The hackathon will also examine the human and economic response to the vi- rus. ESA will contribute data from the Sentinel missions (Sentinel-1, Sent- inel-2 and Sentinel-5P) in the context of the European Copernicus pro- gram, led by the European Commission, along with data from Third Party contributing Missions, with a focus on assessing the impact on climate change and greenhouse gases, as well as impacts on the economic sector. ESA also is contributing Earth observation experts for the selection of the competition winners and the artificial-intelligence-powered EuroDataCube. "EuroDatacube will enable the best ideas to be scaled up to a global level," said Josef Aschbacher, director of Earth Observation Programm- es at ESA. "The pandemic crisis has a worldwide impact, therefore in- ternational cooperation and sharing of data and expertise with partners like NASA and JAXA seems the most suitable approach." JAXA is making Earth observing data available from its satellite mis- sions, including ALOS-2, GOSAT, GOSAT-2, GCOM-C, GCOM-W, and GPM/DPR. "JAXA welcomes the opportunity to be part of the hackathon," said JAXA Vice President Terada Koji. "I believe the trilateral cooperation among ESA, NASA and JAXA is important to demonstrate how Earth observation can support global efforts in combating this unprecedented challenge." Space Apps is an international hackathon that takes place in cities around the world. Since 2012, teams have engaged with NASA's free and open data to address real-world problems on Earth and in space. The COVID-19 Challenge will be the program's first global virtual hacka- thon. Space Apps 2019 included more than 29,000 participants at 225 events in 71 countries, developing more than 2,000 hackathon solutions over the course of one weekend. Space Apps is a NASA-led initiative organized in collaboration with Booz Allen Hamilton, Mindgrub, and SecondMuse. The next annual Space Apps Challenge is scheduled for October 2-4. For more information about NASA Space Apps Challenges, visit: https://www.spaceappschallenge.org/ [ANS thanks NASA for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- On-Line Student STEM: TI Codes Contest 2020 Texas Instruments and NASA have announced the "TI Codes Contest 2020". This STEM activity invites student teams to connect and learn together remotely to let their imaginations reach new heights by solving this unique challenge during the 20th anniversary of humans on the Inter- national Space Station (ISS): Propose a way to automate or optimize a process or product for living and working on the ISS. Then use coding and Texas Instru- ments (TI) technology to design and build a model of the solution. Stage 1: Pitch your idea - is running now. Teams connect virtually with up to five students, ages 13?19, plus an adult sponsor. (A spon- sor can be a teacher, parent or other adult who can mentor students remotely.) Then, determine which process or product your team wants to automate or optimize that would help the International Space Station. The deadline for submissions: May 21, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Central time. Access full contest rules, prize lists, NASA STEM resources, and enter your team at: https://education.ti.com/en/promotion/codescontest [ANS thanks Texas Instruments and NASA for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- First Guatemalan Satellite Deployed from the ISS Guatemala?s first satellite, a small CubeSat called QUETZAL-1, was de- ployed from the International Space Station (ISS) on Tuesday, April 28, 2020. Its primary mission is to test a sensor for remote data acquisition for natural resource management, which could be used to monitor water qual- ity in inland water bodies. QUETZAL-1 LogoThe satellite is part of the Japanese Kibo cubesat pro- gram, a product of the cooperation between, among others, the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA), Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (UVG), and more institutions. The operational frequencies were chosen through cooperation from Guatemalan radio amateurs and the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). Downlink 4800 bps GMSK on 437.200 MHz. The Quetzal-1 project team director is Guatemalan engineer Jos? Bagur, TG8JAV, a graduate from mechatronics engineering at Universidad Del Valle. Source: IARU Region 2 https://iaru-r2.org/ IARU Quetzal-1 http://amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=653 Quetzal-1 Telemetry info https://uvg.edu.gt/cubesat-en/ Quetzal-1 Telemetry decoder http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?page_id=75524 Follow Quetzal-1 on Twitter https://twitter.com/quetzal1_uvg [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Former AMSAT Area Coordinator, Prominent DXer Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, SK Herb Schoenbohm, KV4FZ, became a silent key on Wednesday, April 29th at his home in the U. S. Virgin Islands. A prominent contester and DXer, Herb served as an AMSAT Area Coordinator in the Caribbean in the 1970s and 1980s. Activating Anguilla as VP2EFZ, he gave Pat Gowen, G3IOR, the last country he needed on OSCAR 7 to complete the first DXCC via satellite. [ANS thanks The Daily DX, QRZ.com, and former AMSAT Vice President - Operations Rich Zwirko, K1HTV, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- During the COVID-19 Pandemic, ARISS to Begin Experimental Demonstra- tions of School Contacts using a Multipoint Telebridge Amateur Radio Approach Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is pleased to announce the first use of a concept called Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio, allowing school contacts for Stay-At-Home students and simultaneous reception by families, school faculty and the public. During the last several weeks, efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus have resulted in massive school closures worldwide. In addition, the Stay-At-Home policies invoked by authorities, initially shut down opportunities for ARISS school contacts for the near future. To circumvent these challenges and keep students and the public safe, ARISS is introducing the Multipoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio concept. First operation of this experimental system occurred during a contact with a group of Northern Virginia Students located in Woodbridge, VA on Thursday, April 30 at 13:35 UTC (9:35EDT). During this event, an ARISS telebridge radio ground station linked to the astronaut on the International Space Station (ISS)ham radio station and each Stay-At-Home student and their teacher was individually linked to the telebridge station. Under the teacher?s direction, each student, from their home, takes a turna sking their question of the astronaut. Quoting ARISS Chair Frank Bauer, ?This approach is a huge pivot for ARISS, but we feel it is a great strategic move for ARISS. In these times of isolation due to the virus, these ARISS connections provide a fantastic psychological boost to students, families, educators and the public. And they continue our long-standing efforts to inspire, engage and educate students in STEAM subjects and encourage them to pursue STEAM careers.? An archive of the April 30th contact can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Cu8I9ose4Vo. About ARISS: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corp- oration (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the ISS National Lab, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology,engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or public forms. Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see www.ariss.org [ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS PR, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: May 8-9, 2020, Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services, 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 AD0DX has announced a tentative activation of DL88 in Big Bend Nat- ional Park for Sunday, May 31st. At this time, the park remains closed but the team hopes it will reopen soon. Doug Tabor, N6UA, will join him for this activation. Details about the plans can be found on the K5Z QRZ.com page: https://www.qrz.com/db/K5Z [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + The May 2020 issue of Aerospace America, the monthly magazine of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) features an article entitled "Cosmic GPS" describing the emerging use of GPS on spacecraft flying beyond the GPS constellation altitude and, eventually, to the moon. Above-constellation use of GPS was first demonstrated on AMSAT-OSCAR 40. AMSAT Vice President - Human Space- flight Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is extensively quoted in this article. Read it at https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/features/cosmic-gps/ + AMSAT's Zazzle store has added a few new products, including a water bottle, car flag, and fanny pack. A wide variety of other products are also available, including the popular new OSCAR t-shirt. Check out the store at https://www.zazzle.com/store/amsat_gear. 25% of the purchase price of each product goes to AMSAT to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space. + Scientists from NASA, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Lunar Planetary Institute have created a detailed new map of the lunar surface in stunning color. Called the Unified Geological Map of the Moon, it marries decades of surveys of the moon?s surface going as far back as Armstrong and Aldrin?s Apollo mission, with more re- cent data from NASA and JAXA. It doesn?t just look pretty ? the map will greatly help NASA and other organizations plan future landing sites optimized for scientific missions. NASA's Artemis project could take humans to the moon as early as 2024. AMSAT, along with ARISS, partners, is developing an amateur radio package, including two-way communication capability, to be carried on-board Gateway in lunar or- bit as part of an Artemis precursor initiative. The digital map is available for the public at: https://on.doi.gov/2YnZGAO + Scott Chapman, K4KDR, is featured in Scott Manley's new video about the Iranian Noor satellite. https://youtu.be/SPTz7Ig9RQE + As another part of the RSGB "Get on the air to care" campaign, the May edition of RadCom is being made available to radio amateurs around the world to read online as a sample edition. A number of IARU national societies have taken a similar step and the RSGB is happy to join those societies in supporting the worldwide amateur radio community during these difficult times: https://www.rsgb.org/sampleradcom + In a Public Notice released on April 30th, the FCC confirmed that amateur license examinations may be conducted remotely. The full Public Notice can be found at the link below: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-20-467A1.pdf + The AMSAT Folding at home team continues to climb the rankings. Now in the top 2,500 of all teams at the time of this writing, the team has grown to 37 members with 70 active CPUs within the past 50 days and includes five members in the top 100,000 of all users. Alex Free, N7AGF, is our top contributor with over 21,000,000 points credited to AMSAT's team. For more information about the Folding at home project and how you can contribute to scientific research, including the fight against COVID-19, see https://foldingathome.org/. AMSAT's team number is 69710: https://stats.foldingathome.org/team/69710 + In advance of their move to a new headquarters location, the FCC has updated their offical seal. The new seal includes a satellite and ground station, reflecting the increasing importance of space communications. https://twitter.com/FCC/status/1255882365936775171 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun May 10 00:00:00 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sat, 9 May 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-131 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-131 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * 2019 Back Issues of The AMSAT Journal on launch.amsat.org * Call for Nominations - 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors Election * New Chinese Amateur Satellites Expected to Launch in September * Cubesat Developers Workshop Presentations Available * Visual Observations Of RS-44 Underway * Hack-a-Sat Call for Participation * NASA TV To Air Cygnus Departure From Space Station * Online Amateur Radio Satellite Talk on Zoom * Satellite Distance Records Set * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-131.01 ANS-131 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 131.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020-May-10 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-131.01 2019 Back Issues of The AMSAT Journal on launch.amsat.org AMSAT's new online member portal, launch.amsat.org, is up and running. All AMSAT members must log in and update their contact information to ensure continued, uniterrupted service. Full instructions for getting logged in are in the March/April issue of The AMSAT Journal, avail- able for free download on amsat.org and launch.amsat.org. There is also separate instructions on each site. Those interested in joining AMSAT can create an account, using the Join link on launch.amsat.org IMPORTANT UPDATE: AMSAT's Member Portal not only puts you in charge of your member account but gives you exclusive access to member-only content. Want to read back issues of The AMSAT Journal, in full color? We just posted all 2019 issues, plus the first two issues of 2020. We will continue to work on uploading prior years, so check back often. Log in today! (ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-Member Services for the above information) +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Call for Nominations - 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors Election AMSAT solicits nominations for the 2020 AMSAT Board of Directors election, to be held in the third quarter of the year. The seats of the following three incumbent Directors expire in 2020 and will be filled by this year's election: Tom Clark, K3IO; Mark Hammond, N8MH; and Bruce Paige, KK5DO. Further, up to two Alternate Directors may be elected for one-year terms. A valid nomination for Director must be written and requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT member. Written nominations, with the nominee?s name, call sign, and contact information, as well as the nominators' names, call signs, and contact information, should be sent to the AMSAT Secretary: Brennan Price, N4QX 300 Locust St SE, Unit E Vienna VA 22180-4869 brennanprice at verizon.net A copy should be sent to AMSAT Manager, Martha Saragovitz, at martha at amsat.org. The AMSAT bylaws require that the nomination be written and in the form specified by the Secretary. In light of the ongoing pandemic and the resulting closure of the physical office, the Secretary has elected to accept written nomination materials in electronic form, including e-mail or electronic image of a paper document. Fax trans- missions cannot be accepted due to the closure of the office. No matter what means are used, petitions MUST be received by the Secretary no later than June 15th. The Secretary will verify the qual- ifications of candidates and nominating members or Member Societies as petitions are received, and will notify candidates whether their nom- inations are in order by the end of June. [ANS thanks Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Chinese Amateur Satellites Expected to Launch in September Two new Chinese amateur radio satellites are now expected to launch on September 15, 2020. The first of these satellites, CAS-7A, is a 27 kg microsat (750 mm x 650 mm x 260 mm) with three-axis stabilization and several transponders. The transponders include a 15m to 10m linear transponder (H/t), a 15m to 70cm linear transponder (H/u), and a 2m to 70cm linear transponder(V/u). The satellite also includes a 2m to 70cm (V/u) FM transponder. Several beacons and data downlinks are also feat- ured, CW beacons on 10m and 70cm, 4.8k or 9.6k GMSK telemetry on 70cm, and a 1 Mbps GMSK image data downlink on 3cm for the on board camera. IARU coordinated frequencies for the uplinks and downlinks are listed below. This launch is also expected to carry CAS-7C, a 2U CubeSat with a V/u linear transponder and a CW beacon. Frequencies for CAS-7C have not been coordinated by the IARU at the time of this writing. CAS-7C will also deploy a 1 mm diameter 1080 meter long carbon fiber rope. CAS-7A and CAS-7C will launch from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center into a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit with an inclination of 98 degrees. Frequencies: CAS-7A H/t Linear Transponder Uplink - 21.245MHz through 21.275 MHz Downlink - 29.435MHz through 29.465 MHz CW Beacon 29.425 MHz CAS-7A H/u Linear Transponder Uplink - 21.3125 MHz through 21.3275 MHz Downlink - 435.3575 MHz through 435.3725 MHz CW Beacon 435.430MHz CAS-7A V/u Linear Transponder Uplink - 145.865 MHz through 145.895 MHz Downlink - 435.385 MHz through 435.415 MHz CW Beacon 435.430MHz CAS-7A V/u FM Transponder Uplink 145.950 MHz Downlink 435.455 MHz 4.8k / 9.6k GMSK telemetry downlink - 435.480 MHz 1 Mbps GMSK image data downlink - 10460.00 MHz [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Cubesat Developers Workshop Presentations Available Although we are not able to come together in San Luis Obispo for the CubeSat Developers Workshop today, we are excited to share some of the presentations that would have taken place with you online. Find the slide decks for these presentations on our archive as well as videos on our YouTube channel . You will also be able to find all of our previous Workshop presentations in NASA's Small Spacecraft Systems Virtual Institute (S3VI) . We are excited to have our archives integrated into S3VI and hope you can use this tool to further your research and involvement with CubeSat. If you were selected to present your abstract at this year's Workshop and would still like your presentation to be included in our archive, email us at cubesat-workshop at calpoly.edu . We also want to share some of our CDW Zoom backgrounds with you. Feel free to download and use them in your next meeting! We look forward to welcoming you all back to San Luis Obispo from *April 27-29, 2021* for the next CubeSat Developers Workshop. We will continue to announce new deadlines and registration information via email and on our website as we continue to plan for 2021. Be sure to join the CubeSat Workshop mailing list for future announcements. We hope you continue working together (from home) to advance CubeSats [ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Visual Observations Of RS-44 Underway Visual observations of the payload and attached Briz-KM rocket body made whilst the object has been flying over the UK at night, indica- ted a rotation period of 19 seconds. Optically with binoculars, it appeared between magnitude +5 to invisible in hazy moonlit skies, on near zenithal transits. No flashes nor glints were observed, which could indicate the stack is in a slow roll along the longitudinal axis, rather than a tumbling motion. On a radio aspect, it would appear the beacon signals are stronger as the payload approaches, declining thereafter upon passing TCA. Assuming RS-44 is mounted to the front and that some aerials have deployed, then this would account for the phenomenon, as receding away from the station would have the aerials blocked by the Briz rocket body - however, I have not seen any information released as to the physical condition of RS-44. It would be useful for the transmit- ters to remain on, to monitor over the long term if the nutation rate slows over time. The CW beacon was timed at 20 seconds between trans- mission, which fits with the optical work, but this may well just be coincidental as to how the beacon is programmed. Later radio monitoring indicates the beacon repetition is 15-16 sec- onds on the callsign being transmitted. Whether this ties in with hopefully future optical work to see if the spin rate has slowed to the same, or we have a differential - we wait and see! [ANS thanks Max White, M0VNG, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hack-a-Sat Call for Participation I've put out the call for participation for the Hack-a-Sat competition in the past, and would like to bring you all up to date on the devel- opments and opportunities that have developed since. The website is here: https://www.hackasat.com/ Hack-a-Sat is an activity that was scheduled to happen at the in-per- son DEFCON event. As of today, yes, it's true. DEFCON has been cancelled. Those of you that have volunteered at Ham Radio Village in the past are familiar with the event. For those of you that are not, it's a long-running hacking and cybersecurity event that has enthusiastical- ly adopted everything RF and amateur radio. The United States Air Force, in conjunction with the Defense Digital Service, organized this year?s Space Security Challenge, called Hack- A-Sat. This challenge asks hackers from around the world to focus their skills and creativity on solving cybersecurity challenges on space systems. This competition is going to be held! It's now a vir- tual event. Security in the amateur radio sense of the word is fundamentally dif- ferent from commercial and military applications. We have an advan- tage here, mainly due to the enormous leverage we have due to our con- text being completely different from what the Air Force and commercial interests assume. This is, essentially, a diversity advantage. If you want to participate on an experienced Capture The Flag (CTF) team, then I am here to extend an invitation. Anyone that reads through the rules and can afford to spend some time during the event is invited to apply to join Vaporsec. This is a team that has a major- ity of information security professionals. There are some satellite industry people, some amateur involvement, and I'd like to make sure that anyone interested in competing from AMSAT-BB gets a chance to join a competitive team. The benefits to amateur radio are primarily technical, with policy and security a close second. The Air Force has some agendas here in terms of improving satellite security. Exposure to the challenges alone is a an excellent opportunity to learn more about modern satellite technol- ogy...and what a significant player in space wants to find out more about. Don't assume that that the challenges in the competition are going to be "too hard." What is trivial for one viewpoint is unsolv- able for another. I'll be writing about the event and what we learned when it is over, so this sort of knowledge will not be secret. However, there is no replacement for participation, and you could very well have the prac- tical knowledge, gained from operating real satellites, that wins the competition. As you can see from the website, there is some real money involved and opportunities for technical writing. Let me know at w5nyv at arrl.net if you would like to talk more about joining a CTF team for this really neat and unique event. Know someone that you think should participate? Please forward to them. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, AMSAT Board Member for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA TV To Air Cygnus Departure From Space Station Nearly three months after delivering several tons of supplies and sci- entific experiments to the International Space Station, Northrup Grum- man?s unpiloted Cygnus cargo craft is scheduled to depart the Inter- national Space Station on Monday, May 11. Live coverage of the spacecraft?s release will air on NASA Television and the agency?s website beginning at 11:45 a.m. EDT, with release scheduled for noon. Dubbed the ?SS Robert H. Lawrence,? Cygnus arrived at the station on February 18. Within 24 hours of its release, Cygnus will begin its secondary mission, hosting the Spacecraft Fire Safety Experiment ? IV (Saffire-IV), which provides an environment to safely study fire in microgravity. It also will deploy a series of payloads. Northrop Grum- man flight controllers in Dulles, Virginia, will initiate Cygnus? de- orbit to burn up in Earth?s atmosphere Monday, May 25. More information on Cygnus? mission and the International Space Sta- tion can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/station [ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Online Amateur Radio Satellite Talk on Zoom Robin Moseley, G1MHU, will give a talk on Zoom titled ?Introduction to amateur satellites, meteor scatter, EME and ISS? on Wednesday, May 13, at 1830z The presentation is being organised by the Denby Dales Amateur Radio Society and being on Zoom it?ll be viewable on any Tablet or Smartphone with the Zoom App or from a Windows PC or Laptop. The Zoom meeting ID is 278 609 9353 https://zoom.us/j/2786099353 [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Distance Records Set Satellite operators are rapidly pushing towards the 7,942 km theoret- ical maximum range on RS-44. The 7,859 km record held by KI7UNJ and JA0CAW was eclipsed on 06-May-2020 at 19:00 UTC with a QSO between EA4CYQ and UA0STM, a distance of 7,894 km. On 09-May-2020, this record fell again when W5CBF in Louisiana, USA worked LA7XK in Norway, a distance of 7,916 km. Another claimed DX record was also claimed on May 6. This time it was on PO-101 (Diwata2PH). EA4SG reports working R9LR at 23:03 UTC. The distance between the two stations is 5,128 km. Distance records for all satellites are maintained at: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ Please email n8hm [at] amsat.org if you wish to claim a new record, longer distance QSO not yet documented, or records for any other sat- ellite/transponder not yet listed. Please note that if a satellite carries multiple transponders or supports multiple frequency bands, records on each transponder/band may be claimed, such as Mode A and B on AO-7 or Mode U/S, L/S, U/K, etc, on AO-40. This includes the ISS and records may be claimed for the packet digipeater and crossband re- peater, but does not include different operating modes on the same transponder (such as CW or SSB on AO-7 Mode B). [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Mitch, AD0HJ, has decided to "go check on the tree" in North Dakota. He has also said he will be activating a bunch of grids: 5/20 UTC DN96/97 5/21 UTC DN78/88 5/22 UTC DN76/77 5/23 UTC DN86/87 5/24 UTC EN06/16 Details on his Twitter page, @ad0hj Ron, AD0DX, and Doug, N6UA, are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, Texas. They tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. The tentative date is Sunday May 31, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overnfor, KE0PBR, the *NEW* AMSAT rover page manager(!) for the above information. Welcome aboard, Paul.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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. Airdrie Space Science Club, Airdrie, AB, Canada, Multi-point tele- bridge via ZS6JON. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS and the scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR. The contact is go for Friday 2020-05-15 15:10:28 UTC with 55 degrees over South Africa. ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates at the ARISS webpage: https://www.ariss.org/ [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: No scheduled events The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Virgin Orbit tweets that it is celebrating a big win this week after the successful completion of a wet dress rehearsal with LauncherOne just in time for #NationalSpaceDay! Wet dress rehearsals with all commodities loaded is one of the last major events before launch. (ANS thanks @Virgin_Orbit for the above information) + A new version of the North American Overlay Mapper program: v4.0.0.0 has been released for Windows 7 and 10, with many new features. The 'NAOMI' program can import ADIF logs, Cabrillo logs, and a variety of lists, and then georeference them from the latest FCC and ISED databases, and then plot North American QSOs, Grid Locators, and Counties, onto 47 maps at 1:2,000,000 scale, 2 North American over- view maps at 1:20,000,000 scale, a zoomable Online Map with a choice of map-providers, a full-screen World Map, and a Great Circle Map with a choice of 16 different backgrounds. You can edit logs, check for errors, parse for counties, export data in different formats, search and browse the databases, overlay a variety of lists, export the maps for use in other applications, or to share online. NAOMI is available at: https://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/naomi/index.php (ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information) + NASA will pay a staggering $146 million for each SLS rocket engine, with 4 needed per SLS flight. These Space Shuttle main engines were intended to be reused, but SLS will throw them away. Other things you could buy for $146 million: two basic Atlas V rocket launches, three Falcon 9 launches, or a fully expendable Falcon Heavy launch, with 2/3 the lift capacity at 1/20th the cost. (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + A study has found that all 1,078 commercially-launched smallsats in the last five years experienced delays, with a median delay of 128 days. The largest delay categories: 11% of delays were administra- tive, 13% were ISS manifest changes (for ISS-deployed sats), 20% were due to delays in launch vehicle development, and 40% were due to primary payload delays affecting their rideshares. Full report at https://bit.ly/3fuw1Mz (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + A satellite built by Air Force Academy cadets will launch into space May 16 aboard the X-37B, Orbital Test Vehicle sponsored by the De- partment of the Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and built by Boeing. This is the first time a satellite built and designed by ca- dets will catch a ride into space aboard the X-37B. FalconSAT-8 will carry five experimental payloads, and members of the Cadet Space Operations Squadron will operate it. There was no mention of amateur radio connected with this satellite, nor has there been a request for IARU frequency coordination in the amateur radio satellite ser- vice, although previous FalconSats have had amateur radio payloads. (ANS thanks U.S. Air Force Academy for the above information) + When a new crew member arrives on the International Space Sta- tion, the population of humans living in space changes, of course. But so, too, does the population of microbes. As we have all learned in this time of Covid-19, countless types of microorganisms inhabit our bodies, inside and out, and when an astronaut arrives on the station, they bring their specific collection of microbial "hitch- hikers" with them. A new study shows that the microorganisms living on surfaces inside the space station so closely resembled those on an astronaut's skin that scientists could tell when this new crew member arrived and departed, just by looking at the microbes left behind. Many of the microorganisms living in and around us are harm- less or even essential for good health, but some can cause disease or damage structures in built environments. https://bit.ly/3dlEobi (ANS thanks spacedaily.com for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org From mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu Sun May 10 14:23:21 2020 From: mjohns+K0JM at luther.edu (Mark D. Johns) Date: Sun, 10 May 2020 09:23:21 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-131b Special Bulletin: HuskySat-1 Transponder is Open Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-131b The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Huskysat-1 Transponder is Open SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-131.02 ANS-131b AMSAT News Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 131.02 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020-May-10 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-131.02 Huskysat-1 Transponder is Open After a week of testing, the transponder on HuskySat-1 is enabled and open for use and testing. It?s fairly sensitive, and 5-10 watts is plenty most of the time. There are some fades due to satellite orien- tation, and some passes are definitely better than others. The opera- tions and engineering teams are also watching a few anomalies. Please keep an eye on the beacon during transponder ops, for those with spec- trum scopes. Strong signals may impact the beacon strength. HuskySat-1 is the Husky Satellite Lab at University of Washington?s first cubesat, and the first mission with AMSAT?s linear transponder module (LTM-1), a V/u transponder and integrated telemetry beacon and command receiver. UW recently completed their Part 5 operations and have graciously let AMSAT?s Part 97 transponder operations commence. This transponder module is available for use in educational cubesat missions willing to enable the transponder for worldwide use. Contact myself or VP Engineering Jerry Buxton for additional details. Reports and observations are welcome to the amsat-bb mailing list. Congratulations to Husky Satellite Lab, and to the entire AMSAT Engineering team for keeping amateur radio in space. Thanks to Dr. Mark Hammond, N8MH for commissioning and operations support. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations HuskySat-1 V/u inverting transponder, 145.910 to 145.940 uplink, 435.810 to 435.840 downlink, telemetry beacon 1200 baud BPSK at 435.800 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Thu May 14 14:51:22 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Thu, 14 May 2020 10:51:22 -0400 Subject: [ans] ANS-135 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - HuskySat-1 Designated HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107) Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-135 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * HuskySat-1 Designated HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107) SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-135 ANS-135 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 135.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE May 14, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-135.01 HuskySat-1 Designated HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107) On November 2, 2019, the HuskySat-1 cubesat launched on the Cygnus NG- 12 mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA. The satellite was con- structed by the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington, and utilizes an AMSAT-constructed radio system for primary communica- tions. Deployed from the Cygnus vehicle on January 31, 2020 after de- parting the ISS, HuskySat-1 began a 3-month educational mission. Upon completion of that mission, the satellite began operation of a V/u linear transponder in amateur service. At the request of the Husky Satellite Lab and AMSAT teams, AMSAT here- by designates HuskySat-1 as HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107). We congratu- late the Husky Satellite Lab, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. 73, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice President - Operations for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun May 17 00:00:15 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 16 May 2020 19:00:15 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-138 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: <000301d62bde$254066c0$6fc13440$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-138 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * AMSAT Receives PPP Funds During COVID-19 Pandemic * HuskySat-1 Transponder is Open * HuskySat-1 Designated OSCAR 107 (HO-107) * AMSAT Executive VP Congratulates HuskySat-1 Team * New Satellite Frequency Chart Is Free to Members * ARISS Continues Test of MultiPoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio * 10th Annual GNU Radio Conference Goes Virtual * AMSAT-EA Receives IARU Coordination for Two Satellites * AO-7 Delivers Stunning Contact * UN Launches Second Space4Youth Competition * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-138.01 ANS-138 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 138.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. May 17, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-138.01 AMSAT Receives PPP Funds During COVID-19 Pandemic On March 31, 2020, AMSAT's Board of Directors authorized the organization's leadership team to pursue relief afforded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). Pursuit of this relief was in accordance with the Directors' fiduciary duty to pursue all funding sources available to sustain AMSAT's operations. AMSAT has received funds under the CARES Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Participation in this program gives us certainty that AMSAT will be able to continue uninterrupted service to our members during these uncertain economic times. It helps AMSAT offset cash flow losses due to the pandemic and avoid dipping into our reserves. Using reserves at this time would incur substantial realized losses due to fluctuating investment market conditions. Receiving the PPP funds also allows AMSAT to continue paying Martha, AMSAT's Office Manager of over 40 years, even though our physical office remains closed. Although AMSAT remains in a healthy financial position with a strong balance of cash and reserves, the current economic situation and loss of events like Hamvention and Ham-Com will likely continue to negatively impact donations and membership renewals. AMSAT's senior leadership team continues to pursue avenues to reduce operational costs such as the recent successful roll out of the Wild Apricot membership management portal. [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ HuskySat-1 Transponder is Open Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - Operations reports that after a week of testing, the transponder on HuskySat-1 is enabled and open for use and testing. HuskySat-1 carries a V/u inverting transponder with a 145.910 to 145.940 uplink, 435.810 to 435.840 downlink. The telemetry beacon runs 1200 baud BPSK at 435.800 It's fairly sensitive, and 5-10 watts is plenty most of the time. There are some fades due to satellite orientation and some passes are definitely better than others. The operations and engineering teams are also watching a few anomalies. For those with spectrum scopes, lease keep an eye on the beacon during transponder operations. Strong signals may impact the beacon strength. Reports and observations are welcome to the amsat-bb mailing list. HuskySat-1 is the Husky Satellite Lab at University of Washington's first cubesat, and the first mission with AMSAT's linear transponder module (LTM-1), a V/u transponder and integrated telemetry beacon and command receiver. UW recently completed their Part 5 operations and have graciously let AMSAT's Part 97 transponder operations commence. This transponder module is available for use in educational cubesat missions willing to enable the transponder for worldwide use. Contact Drew Glasbrenner or Jerry Buxton, VP Engineering Jerry Buxton for additional details. Congratulations to Husky Satellite Lab, and to the entire AMSAT Engineering team for keeping amateur radio in space. Thanks to Dr. Mark Hammond, N8MH for commissioning and operations support. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - Operations for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- HuskySat-1 Designated OSCAR 107 (HO-107) On November 2, 2019, the HuskySat-1 cubesat launched on the Cygnus NG-12 mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA. The satellite was constructed by the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington, and utilizes an AMSAT-constructed radio system for primary communications. Deployed from the Cygnus vehicle on January 31, 2020 after departing the ISS, HuskySat-1 began a 3-month educational mission. Upon completion of that mission, the satellite began operation of a V/u linear transponder in Amateur Radio Service. At the request of the Husky Satellite Lab and AMSAT teams, AMSAT here-by designates HuskySat-1 as HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107). We congratulate the Husky Satellite Lab, thank them for their contribution to the Amateur Radio satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - Operations 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 Executive VP Congratulates HuskySat-1 Team "The first of what will be many AMSAT Linear Transponder Modules in orbit was opened for amateur use worldwide Sunday morning. I wanted to offer my thanks and congratulations to the team that made this possible: AMSAT Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY John Klingelhoeffer, WB4LNM Marc Franco, N2UO Dan Habecker, W9EQ Bob Davis, KF4KSS Burns Fisher, WB1FJ Eric Skoog, K1TVV Chris Thompson, AC2CZ/G0KLA AMSAT Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Mark Hammond, N8MH "And, last, but certainly not least, the entire team at the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington. "The AMSAT Linear Transponder Module (LTM) is a crucial part of AMSAT's mission. The GOLF program will fulfill the first part of our mission statement, to deploy satellite systems with the goal of providing wide-area and continuous coverage, while ARISS and AREx fulfill the second part of our mission statement to continue active participation in human space missions. The LTM represents the primary work AMSAT is doing to "support a stream of LEO satellites developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite groups". Five Fox-1 satellites have been completed. HO-107 is just the first of many more missions that will help us to Keep Amateur Radio in Space at a low cost to AMSAT. The future is bright! [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- New Satellite Frequency Chart Is Free to Members AMSAT just released its updated Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide. It is currently available only to AMSAT Members, in the new online member portal under Member Resources. Archives of The AMSAT Journal are also available under Journal. Currently, 2018 and 2019 are available with more years soon. If you are an AMSAT Member and have not signed up on the new AMSAT Member Portal, you are missing out. If your not an AMSAT Member, there's no better time to join! Visit launch.amsat.org today! [ANS thanks AMSAT Member Services for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Continues Test of MultiPoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio ARISS completed the second test of the new-style radio contact called Multi point Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio. The concept was developed for distance learning when schools closed worldwide due to COVID-19. The virus eliminated all opportunities for ARISS radio contacts at education organizations. The radio contact was completed on May 15 with ISS Commander Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR. A new ARISS telebridge ground station was operated by John Sygo, ZS6JON located near Johannesburg,South Africa. The telebridge linked to the astronaut and each youth tied in from home via their telephones. Each student took a turn asking their question of the astronaut. Their families, faculty and the public could also listen from home. The youth taking part in ARISS's second test belong to the Airdrie Space Science Club in Airdrie, AB, Canada. Prior to COVID, the students had participated in space and radio communications lessons such as balloon launches with ham radio payloads and building model rockets to launch. Brian Jackson, VE6JBJ, one of the five club leaders related, "During this pandemic, our opportunities to develop kids' interest in space has been interrupted. This ARISS contact gets them looking back up, towards the sky, and imagining themselves as an astronaut one day." [ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- 10th Annual GNU Radio Conference Goes Virtual GNU Radio Conference (GRCon) is a week-long conference that includes technical content and networking opportunities. It highlights design, implementation, and theory that has been practically applied in a useful way. GRCon attendees come from a large variety of backgrounds, including industry, academia, government, and hobbyists. GRCon20 will be held starting September 14, 2020 online as a virtual event. Keynote speakers include Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, Managing Editor of QST magazine; Oona R?is?nen (windytan) hacker of signals and computer programmer; and Jim St. Leger, Director Open Source, at Intel. More information and registration is online at: https://www.gnuradio.org/grcon/grcon20/ [ANS thanks GNU Radio 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT-EA Receives IARU Coordination for Two Satellites AMSAT-EA recently received frequency coordination from the IARU for two pocketcube satellites expected to launch in 2020. Hades is a 1.5 p pocketcube satellite offering radio amateurs a linear transponder for SSB/FM/CW and digital modes. It will also test the platform for future amateur satellites. A downlink on 436.888 MHz and an uplink on 145.925 MHz have been coordinated. A regenerative transponder for FM/FSK/ASK and 0.05kbps-125kbps ASK/FSK/PSK telemetry, store&forward and data transmission from ground stations is also planned. A camera is expected to fly as an experimental payload. EASAT-2 satellite is Hades virtual twin with a downlink on 436.666 MHz and an uplink on 145.875 MHz. Both satellites will be launched into a 400/500 km polar orbit together with Sanosat-1 and others in a Alba Orbital cluster 3 launch. More info at https://www.amsat-ea.org/ [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-7 Delivers Stunning Contact On Sunday, May 4, 2020, AO-7, a forty year old satellite, produced a stunning contact. At 17:20 UTC a contact was completed between Diego Fiel, LW2DAF in Buenos Aires (GF05rk) and Tom Ambrose, ZS1TA in Cape Town (JF95fx). The contact scanned a distance of 4329 miles (6927 km) across the South Atlantic with both stations aiming at only 2 to 3 degrees on the horizon. Both stations had been watching the orbit predictions for several weeks and the suitable opportunities only occurred occasionally with both stations seeing the AO-7 satellite at the same time. Electrical noise particularly in Cape Town hampered the efforts with only small snatches being heard from time to time. That morning, however, the noise levels were low and a perfect contact was possible with full call signs and reports being exchanged. [ANS thanks Tom Ambrose, ZS1TA for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- UN Launches Second Space4Youth Competition The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) announced the second edition of its Space4Youth competition for young people worldwide to share their ideas on space policy and exploration. The Space4Youth Competition strives to show how young people can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This edition focuses on SDG 13, Climate Action, which the United Nations Secretary-General called the defining issue of our time. In order to participate, young people have to submit an essay on "Space as a tool to address climate challenges: examples from local communities". The selected winner and finalist(s) will be invited to present their essays at the 19th Space Generation Congress 2020. Winners will also have abstracts of their essays submitted to the 63rd session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. For more information and instructions on how to participate, see: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-138-Space4Youth [ANS thanks the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs 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 * Mitch (@ad0hj) Has decided to go check on the tree in North Dakota. He has also said he will be activating a bunch of grids: - 5/20 UTC DN96/97 - 5/21 UTC DN78/88 - 5/22 UTC DN76/77 - 5/23 UTC DN86/87 - 5/24 UTC EN06/16 * Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn't?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Sunday, May 31, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News The following schools have now been postponed due to COVID-19: - Srednja Skola Za Elektrotehniku I Racunalstvo, Rijeka, Croatia, direct via 9A5G - Canadian Cub Jamboree, Guelph/Eramosa, ON, Canada, telebridge via TBD. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Current schedule: - No scheduled events The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: - May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ - May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH - June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX -------------------------------------------------------------------- Shorts from All Over * Doppler SQF Line Generator It seems like new satellites are appearing over the horizon nearly every day. For those who want to roll their own Doppler SQF lines, you can use this generator developed by Mike Diehl, W8LID. Just enter the frequencies in the correct spot and presto! You will find this great tool at: https://www.amsat.org/doppler-sqf-line-generator/. [ANS thanks Dave Webb, KB1PVH for the above information.] * "There's Nothing to Do, Dad (or Mom)!" When the kids start getting bored around the house, check out NASA's STEM Engagement Page. With activities sorted by age group, there's plenty fun parents and kids can enjoy on their own or together. It's all at https://www.nasa.gov/stem. Also available from the European Space Agency is a series of weekly projects and challenges that run now through September. Enjoy these entertaining and educational projects at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2020/05/Expedition_Home [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N and ESA for the above information.] * NASA Inks Deal with Roscosmos for Continued Rides to the ISS With lingering uncertainty about when new U.S. commercial vehicles can regularly carry crews to the space station, NASA said Tuesday it will pay the Russian space agency more than $90 million for a round-trip ticket to the International Space Station on a Soyuz spacecraft later this year. According to NASA, the deal with Roscosmos, Russia?s space agency, will ensure continuous U.S. presence on the ISS in case of additional delays in getting new U.S. crew capsules ready for operational missions. Read the complete story at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-138-NASA-Ride [ANS thanks SPACEFLIGHT NOW 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From ki7unj at gmail.com Sun May 24 00:00:00 2020 From: ki7unj at gmail.com (KI7UNJ Tucker) Date: Sat, 23 May 2020 17:00:00 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-145 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-145 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Announces 2020 Field Day Rules * AMSAT Awards Update * AO-27 Returns from the Dead * Updated GOLF Project Information Available * Changing HuskySat-1 Keps Name in FoxTelem * Hack-a-Sat Team Boasts Exceptional Participation * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-145.01 ANS-145 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 145.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020-May-24 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-145.01 AMSAT Announces 2020 Field Day Rules It?s that time of year again; summer and Field Day! Each year the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors Field Day as a ?picnic, a campout, practice for emergencies, an informal contest and, most of all, FUN!? The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) promotes its own version of Field Day for operation via the amateur satellites, held concurrently with the ARRL event. For 2020, the event takes place during a 27-hour period from 1800 UTC on Saturday June 27, 2020 through 2100 UTC on Sunday June 28, 2020. Those who set up prior to 1800 UTC on June 27 can operate only 24 hours. AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards Bruce Paige, KK5DO, has an- nounced the rules for the 2020 event. Paige notes that "AMSAT has followed the ARRL when it comes to the date, times and most rules with regard to Field Day. [ARRL has made some modifications due to COVID-19]. With that in mind, AMSAT is going to have to adapt as well." Paige further elaborates, "What we will do for AMSAT Field Day is con- centrate on rovers and operating from home." In line with this new concentration, the awards issued this year will be modified. The top three club stations will receive certificates as will the top three stations overall (instead of the top three home operators on emergency power). AMSAT will also award certificates to the top three roving stations. The 2020 rules can be found at https://www.amsat.org/field-day/. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT Awards Update This is my first update on the awards for 2020. They used to slowly trickle in. However, over the last two months, there have been a lot of submissions. AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO Frank Karnauskas, N1UW Hiroto Miura, JI8UCI Jason Davis, N8PDX Andrew Stamp, N2YQO Cameron Zotter, K4DCA Angus Alexander, KJ7KOJ Gustavo Schwartz, PR8KW Richard Cutrer, KF5TQT Kurt Melden, K1SEA William McDermott, KM6MCH Robert Smith, KO4CCD Bernd Scholer, DL6IAN ------ AMSAT Communications Achievement Award Russel Kinner, WA8ZID #624 Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #625 EM30 Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #626 EM21 Stephan Greene, KS1G #627 ------ AMSAT Sexagesimal Satellite Communications Achievement Award Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #185 EM30 Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #186 EM21 Stephan Greene, KS1G #187 ------ AMSAT Century Club Award Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #55 EM30 ------ AMSAT South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award Russel Kinner, WA8ZID #US225 Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #US226 EM30 Hector Luis Martinez Sis, W5CBF #US227 EM21 Wade Stuart, N0TEL #US228 Stephan Greene, KS1G #US229 ------ AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award (1,000-4,000) John Stone, KC9VGG #98 Christy Hunter, KB6LTY, #99 (4,000) Mitchell Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ #100 (2,000) Dave Chasey, N9FN #101 Paul Overn, KE0PBR #102 (3,000) Robert Sours, K9UO #103 (2,000) Kell Bodholt, KI7UXT #104 (2,000) Wade Stuart, N0TEL #105 (2,000) Michael Frazier, KJ5Z #106 Nicholas Mahr, KE8AKW #107 Jerod Speck, W4ZXT #108 Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ #109 ------ AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award (5,000) Adrian Liggins, VA3NNA #35 Christy Hunter, KB6LTY #37 ------ AMSAT Rover Award Rover Call #051 PR8KW #052 LW2DAF #053 N0TEL To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org and click on Services then Awards. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Looking for the perfect Father?s Day gift? AMSAT t-shirts are currently 40% off with promo code BESTDADGIFTS. Other items are 15% off. 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AO-27 Returns from the Dead A number of amateurs have reported that the FM repeater of AO-27 has been active for brief intervals in recent weeks. When commanded on by control operators, the transponder is active for about two minutes be- fore reverting to telemetry transmissions only. Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, remarks that AO-27 wasn't originally intended to be an FM satellite. It lacks the audio filtering normally seen with a n FM receiver, since its uplink receiver was going to be used for data. With the lack of audio filtering on the uplink receiver, AO-27 was used for tests with D-Star radios. The Wayback Machine has captures of the former ao27.org web site, de- tailing how those tests were done. Two radios were used for those D- Star QSOs, one for uplink and the other for downlink). Many are hopeful that control stations will eventually be able to re- cover the satellite sufficiently to provide more regular operation. In the meantime, if you hear the satellite active, make your contacts quickly! [ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, AMSAT Board Member, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Updated GOLF Project Information Available The AMSAT website has posted updated information on the next series of satellites, intended to succeed the current Fox satellites. AMSAT is developing a satellite program that should see amateur transponders in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and eventually High Earth Orbit (HEO) GOLF is an acronym for "Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint" The goal of the GOLF program is to work by steps through a series of increasingly capable spacecraft to learn skills and systems for which we do not yet have any low-risk experience. Among these are active at- titude control, deployable/steerable solar panels, radiation tolerance for Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) components in higher orbits, and propulsion. The first step is to be one or more Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites similar to the existing AO-91 and AO-92, but with technologies needed for higher orbits. With proven technologies, an interim high LEO or Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite would follow on. The eventual goal is a High Earth Orbit (HEO) similar to AO-10, AO-13, and AO-40, but at a currently affordable cost combined with signifi- cantly enhanced capabilities which in turn will allow the use of much less complex ground stations. Read the AMSAT GOLF article at: https://bit.ly/2WPV9WN [ANS thanks @amsat and Southgate ARC 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Changing HuskySat-1 Keps Name in FoxTelem Instructions for updating FoxTelem (including Fox-in-a-box) so that HuskySat-1 keps are now downloaded as HO-107. Go to the Spacecraft menu and select Husky (or something else if you have changed the name). In the upper left is a section that says "Name (for Keps)" and the box to the right should say "HuskySat-1". Just change that to HO-107. Done. Note that HuskySat-1 is no longer in the downloaded keps, so the one you have will get older and more out-of-date until you change the name. Don't forget you will need to do something similar with MacDoppler or SatPC32 or any other tracking program you have. [ANS thanks Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hack-a-Sat Team Boasts Exceptional Participation The Vaporsec "Capture The Flag" (CTF) team, specifically open to ama- teur radio operators, has seen the largest turnout for a CTF competi- tion in team history, for this satellite-themed event. We have over 20 signed up for the qualifications event this coming weekend. We believe that based on the diversity, quality, and positive can-do spirit, that we have a chance at being competitive and moving on to the final round in late summer. We had a successful team organizational meeting last night are are looking forward to a Friday 5pm Pacific start time. I'm looking forward to being able to share how amateur radio operators and practical exper- ience carried the day! The point of the competition seems to be the Air Force wanting to see that the current level of competence is out there with respect to sat- ellite operations and security. Hints have included backgrounders on ADAC, Satellite IoT platform security, protocols, ground control, and more. Rules and link to the Hack-a-Sat website are at: https://www.hackasat.com/ Something that we noticed is that an unsolved challenge in last week- end's DEFCON CTF qualifier round was from the same team that is put- ting on Hack-a-Sat CTF. So! If you are wondering what kind of challenges are posed to partici- pants in a CTF, here is that satellite-themed challenge. We expect this sort of thing to be the starting point for an entire weekend of satel- lite reverse engineering, puzzle solving, and rogue-craft-wrangling. There are two files related to the challenge. The challenge text and the two files can be found at: https://bit.ly/2yrFlQM See you on the other side of the CTF! We will have a write-up of the event and share any and everything we learn along the way. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, AMSAT Board Member, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations WY7AA is still in planning stages but on Monday the 26, DN82/DN72 and maybe later DN73/DN74, please watch his twitter page @WY7AA for more details. Mitch, AD0HJ, has decided to "go check on the tree" in North Dakota. He will be finishing his circuit as this issue is published, but he may still be available on 5/24 UTC in EN06/16 Details on his Twitter page, @ad0hj Ron, AD0DX, and Doug, N6UA, are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, Texas. They tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. The tentative date is Sunday May 31, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overnfor, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 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. ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates at the ARISS webpage: https://www.ariss.org/ [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: No scheduled events The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Radio amateur and Executive Chairman of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd, Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO, has recorded a series of home vid- eos from Coronavirus lockdown to record answers to the questions he is most frequently asked. In a recent episode he talks about his in- spiration for pioneering the original SmallSats revolution and re- veals two of his favourite SSTL missions. Watch Sir Martin Sweeting, G3YJO ? Early Years & Favourite Missions at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV9gQmfmvME (ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP-Operations, and Doug Shook's page, www.kc4mcq.us, for the above information) + Thailand's regulator the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has issued a special callsign to The Radio Amateur Society of Thailand (RAST), founded under the royal patronage of the King of Thailand. The call is E2STAYHOME. RAST will be operating us- ing this callsign on all bands and in all modes, including on NB mode for Es'hail 2 QO-100 geostationary satellite. (ANS thanks Tanan Rangseeprom, HS1JAN, for the above information) + NASA astronauts Robert Behnken Douglas Hurley arrived at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Wednesday, May 20, 2020, ahead of SpaceX's Demo-2 mission. This will be the first launch with astronauts of the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket to the International Space Station as part of the agency's Commercial Crew Program. Behnken and Hurley are sched- uled to launch at 4:33 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, May 27, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. NASA is inviting the public to help celebrate a historic milestone by participating in NASA?s virtual launch experience at: https://www.nasa.gov/beourguest (ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information) + According to a new release of Union of Concerned Scientists' opera- tional satellite database, AMSAT-OSCAR 7 remains the oldest opera- ting satellite in Earth orbit. The next oldest operating satellite is NASA's TDRS-3, launched 14 years after AO-7 in 1988. Details at: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/satellite-database + All issues of The AMSAT Journal from 2017 to the present are now available for AMSAT members on our new membership portal. More years coming soon. Get logged on today! https://launch.amsat.org/The_AMSAT_Journal + Virgin Orbit has announced that the window for its Launch Demo, the first orbital test flight with LauncherOne, opens this weekend on May 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time (1700 to 2100z). A backup window for launch is on May 25 during the same time frame. (ANS thanks Twitter account @Virgin_Orbit for the above information) + Another record-shattering QSO was made via RS-44 last night! @KI7UNJ in Oregon worked EB1AO in Spain - a distance of 8,314 km. Both sta- tions had negative elevation! Satellite distance records are main- tained at: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/ (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ ki7unj at amsat dot org From k0jm.mark at gmail.com Sun May 31 00:00:00 2020 From: k0jm.mark at gmail.com (Mark Johns, K0JM) Date: Sat, 30 May 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-152 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-152 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Temporary Rule Waivers Announced for 2020 ARRL Field Day * IARU-R2 Workshop Videos Available * Digital Mode Experiments Conducted on Linear Satellites * SpaceX Launches Successfully Toward ISS * Moonbounce Contact via FT8 Could be a First * Mid-Altitude Balloon Race Planned for June 1 * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-152.01 ANS-152 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 152.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 May 31 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-152.01 Temporary Rule Waivers Announced for 2020 ARRL/AMSAT Field Days ARRL Programs and Services Committee (PSC) has adopted two temporary rule waivers for the 2020 ARRL Field Day to adjust for Covid-19 re- strictions. An AMSAT parallel event is held at the same time, and the rules for that have been adjusted, as well. ARRL Field Day is one of the biggest events on the amateur radio cal- endar, with over 36,000 participants in 2019, including entries from 3,113 radio clubs and emergency operations centers. In most years, Field Day is also the largest annual demonstration of ham radio, be- cause many radio clubs organize their participation in public places such as parks and schools. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many radio clubs have made decisions to cancel their group participation in ARRL Field Day this year due to public health recommendations and/or requirements, or to significantly modify their participation for safe social distancing practices. The temporary rule waivers allow greater flexibility in recognizing the value of individual and club participation regardless of entry class. The waivers may be found at: https://bit.ly/3de5AJt The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) promotes its own ver- sion of Field Day for operation via the amateur satellites, held con- currently with the ARRL event. The rules for the AMSAT Field Day may be found at: https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/2020fd.pdf This will mean that there will be another group of certificates for AMSAT Field Day: The top three stations operating from home with com- mercial power. The problem is with those operating from home attaching their scores to a club. Because AMSAT only allows one satellite station to be oper- ating at a time, if you are going to attach your satellite contact to a club, only ONE home station can attach per club. This will keep the playing field rather equal as there are areas where there is only one satellite op around and other areas where there are dozens of satellite ops. It would be unfair for an area with a dozen satellite ops to pool all their home contacts towards one club. Even if satellite operators took turns operating in shifts, it would make it very difficult to score entries correctly. That is why AMSAT has chosen to allow only one satellite home station could be attached to a single club. CLUB NAME MUST BE IDENTIFIED IN THE ENTRY. There will also be no duplicate certificates. If you are attaching your score to a club, then it goes towards club rankings and not home rankings. Nothing needs to be changed on the submission form. If you are operating 1D and the name of your attached club is included, the club score will be calculated appropriately. This is new and uncharted waters and hope everyone enjoys AMSAT Field Day. A much larger number of entries is anticipated with this change, so patience is appreciated. (ANS thanks ARRL and Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awardsfor the above information) +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ IARU-R2 Workshop Videos Available IARU Region 2 (IARU-R2) is hosting workshops covering different facets of amateur radio. Last Wednesday (27 May) was the "Satellite Communica- tions 101" workshop. Due to technical glitches, this workshop was not available in real time, but the video of Wednesday's presentation is now available on YouTube. The direct link to the video of last Wednes- day's workshop is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f61uwo5Qy6A One week earlier, on 20 May, Matias LU9CBL and Guillermo OA4/XQ3SA hosted the Spanish-language version of this workshop, titled "Comunicaciones por Satelite 101". The video of their presentation is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69D1dJEfGDc IARU-R2 plans more workshops covering other topics, in English and Spanish. Information on upcoming workshops is available at: https://www.iaru-r2.org/en/news-and-events/workshops/ Videos of past workshops are available from the IARU-R2 Workshops channel on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnG2Srz0bsKmTbF2r3YNneQ [ANS thanks Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Looking for the perfect Father?s Day gift? AMSAT t-shirts are currently 40% off with promo code BESTDADGIFTS. Other items are 15% off. 25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Digital Mode Experiments Conducted on Linear Satellites [EDITOR'S NOTE: Be aware that the experiments described below utilize very narrow AFSK modulation with fairly advanced computer control for Doppler correction and frequency stabilization. They do NOT involve use of narrowband FM signals such as those used for terrestrial APRS or dedicated APRS satellites. So please, NEVER transmit FM on the uplink to a linear satellite. ALSO, in should be emphasized that power levels must be kept very low, as all the WSJT modes are 100% duty cycle.] Recently a group of regular satellite-using amateurs conducted experi- ments with FT-8 and FT-4 on a variety of linear satellites. Alan (WA6DNR), Carlos (W7QL), Dave (W0DHB) and Ron (W5RKN) were involved and made many satisfactory QSOs. The primary results and observations from these tests are: ? Digital modes can successfully be employed on the linear birds while not interfering with concurrent users by operating close to the bottom end of the passband, using the lowest power practicable and using very narrow signals. ? We avoided the satellites known to be power-sensitive, FO-29 and AO-7. Testing was conducted with CAS-4A, CAS-4B, RS-44, XW-2A, XW-2B, XW-2C and XW-2F. ? FT-4 was the most robust signal format, compared to FT-8. Other of Joe Taylor?s digital signal modes should be investigated. ? The rate of change of Doppler just before and after TCA is high on the lower-orbit satellites and must have compensation. 200 Milli- second Doppler updates allowed 100% copy of FT-4 transmissions throughout several passes of different linear satellites. This can be accomplished in SatPC32 by setting the ?SSB/CW Interval? in the CAT menu to zero and checking the 5X box. Note that this setting is not retained when SatPC32 is shut down. ? Very little power is needed for QSOs throughout the duration of the pass, from AOS to LOS. W7QL set IC-9700 power to ?zero? (roughly 500 milli-Watts, with over 3 dB cable/connector loss to a Leo-Pack anten- na pair) and copied every packet on several satellites. ? FT-4 is very tolerant of voice signals which might drop on top of an ongoing FT-4 QSO. However, an FT-4 signal dropping in the middle of an SSB QSO would be quite annoying to the SSB operators. ? According to Joe Taylor, the occupied bandwidth of an FT-4 signal is 90 Hz. So theoretically over 200 such signals could be present on a 20 KHz channel. Obviously that will not, and should not happen. But a dozen closely spaced FT-4 QSOs at the bottom of the band, each run- ning very low power should hardly be noticeable to current voice and CW traffic. We invite other Satellite operators to join us in this expanded utili- zation of the linear satellite resources available to us. We recommend using FT-4 AT VERY LOW POWER, in the bottom few KHz of the downlink frequency range, with appropriate Doppler compensation, as described above. We hope to have a digital QSO with you sometime soon on the linear birds. [ANS thanks Carlos Cardon, W7QL, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- SpaceX Launches Successfully Toward ISS NASA astronauts Bob Behnken, KE5GGX, and Doug Hurley boarded a Crew Dragon spacecraft on top of a Falcon 9 rocket once again on Saturday, May 30. At 19:22 UTC they were successfully launched on their way to the International Space Station. This was the first launch of astro- nauts from U.S. territory since the final Space Shuttle flight in 2011 and the first launch of humans by a private contractor, SpaceX. The first attempt for the launch, on Wednesday, May 27, scrubbed due to stormy weather near the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Crew Dra- gon spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the ISS about 19 hours after liftoff. [ANS thanks Spaceflight Now 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Moonbounce Contact via FT8 Could be a First FT8 codeveloper Joe Taylor, K1JT, has reported what is possibly the first FT8 contact via moonbouce (Earth-Moon-Earth or EME) on May 21 be- tween Paul Andrews, W2HRO, in New York, and Peter Gouweleeuw, PA2V, in Netherlands. The contact was made possible using the currently avail- able beta-release candidate of WSJT-X, version 2.2-rc1. "Why might you want to use FT8 instead of 'Old Reliable JT65' for EME QSOs?" Taylor asked in a subsequent Moon-Net post. "FT8 is about 4 dB less sensitive than JT65, but with 15-second T/R [transmit/receive] sequences it's four times faster, and it doesn't use Deep Search," he said, answering his own question. The FT8 protocol included in the beta version of WSJT-X has an optional user setting to work around the 2.5-second path delay. "For terrestrial use, the FT8 decoder searches over the range -2.5 to +2.4 seconds for clock offset DT between transmitting and receiving stations," Taylor explained. "DT" represents the difference between the transmission time and actual time. "When 'Decode after EME delay' is checked on the WSJT-X 'Settings' screen, the accessible DT range becomes -0.5 to +4.4 seconds. Just right for EME." As Taylor explained in his post, FT8 uses 8-GFSK modulation with tones separated by 6.25 Hz. At the time of the contact, the expected Doppler spread on the W2HRO - PA2V EME path was 8 Hz, which would cause some additional loss in sensitivity. Despite the path losses, however, copy between W2HRO and PA2V was "solid in both directions," Taylor said. Taylor said that when he was active in EME contests on 144 MHz, he was always frustrated that, even with reasonably strong signals, the max- imum JT65 contact rate is about 12 per hour. "With FT8, you can do 40 per hour, as long as workable stations are available," he said. As for using FT8 for EME contacts on 1296 MHz, Taylor said it "might sometimes work, but Doppler spread will probably make standard FT8 a problem." Given sufficient interest, however, he said the WSJT-X devel- opment team could design an FT8B or FT8C with wider tone spacing. He encouraged the use of FT8 for moonbounce on 144, 432, and 1296 MHz and asked users to report their results to the development team. "A 'slow FT8' mode is indeed a sensitivity winner on suitable propaga- tion paths," he said in a later Moon-Net post. "We are busy implement- ing such a mode, but with particular emphasis on its use on the LF and MF bands." Taylor said FT8 has the operational advantage of putting all users in one (or a few) narrow spectral slices on each band. "So, it's easy to find QSO partners without skeds or chat rooms," he said. "Everything is done over the air, with no 'side channels' needed." Taylor also remarked in response to posts from those who, like him, "love CW." "I agree it's a thrill to hear your own lunar echo, and to make CW EME QSOs," he said. "Sometimes I pine for the bygone world of commercial sailing ships, which happen to be very much a part of my family's his- tory," Taylor concluded. "But I know that technologies evolve, and the world does not stand still." [ANS thanks ARRL News 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Mid-Altitude Balloon Race Planned for June 1 Three Space Station Explorer teams will participate in anexciting dis- tance learning?social distanced balloon race to beheld during the Pan- demic. ARISS educator, Joanne Michaelis, KM6BWB, is a science coach at the Wiseburn Unified School District in Los Angeles, California where she leads her students in several balloon launch attempts from the Los Angeles area each year. With this year different because of the pan- demic, Joanne wanted to ?shake things up a bit? and give students world-wide, a unique distance learning treat while keeping all safe during the pandemic. So Joanne challenged Ted Tagami, KK6UUQ, from Magnitude.io to a mid-altitude cross-continent balloon race and Ted accepted the challenge! Ted plans to launch his balloon from Oakland, California. ISS Above in- ventor, Liam Kennedy, KN6EQU, from Pasadena, California, got ?wind? of the idea and he asked to participate, too. All three organizations: ARISS, Magnitude.io and ISS Above are ISS National Lab Space Station Explorer (SSE) partners that work to inspire, engage, and educate stu- dents in Science Technology Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) topics and to pursue STEAM careers. The three SSE teams plan tolaunch their balloons simultaneously on June 1. The winner will be the first one to cross the?Finish Line??the Eastern Time zone. Launch time is planned for 15:00 UTC (11:00 EDT, 10:00 CDT, 9:00 MDT, or 8:00 PDT. A live video feed of the launch is planned to start approximately 5 minutes prior to the event. Once the balloons are airborne, students can track each balloon?s loca- tion, altitude, and temperature via amateur radio APRS (Automatic Pac- ket Reporting System) which is fed automatically to the aprs.fi web site. Educators and parents around the globe can excite at-home youth withthis initiative. Students can tally and track the states each bal- loon travels through and plot altitude versus temperature, etc. Also, by researching weather patterns, students can make assumptions from their own data. This could include speed variations due to weather. They also can predict each balloon?s flight path and when they might cross the finish line! For more information on theballoon launch, lesson plans, and the live- stream video link (when thelivestream URL is available), please go to: https://www.ariss.org/mid-altitude-balloon-race.html Enjoy the Race! May the best ballooner win!! [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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. ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates at the ARISS webpage: https://www.ariss.org/ [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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 W8LR: (@W8LR) May 30 and May 31 he will attempt to activate a dual grids contact. The grid line will be EM79/EM89. Hey you guys from the EU: @N4DCW will be in EM56 June 5-7 with a semi- decent N-E horizon from his sister-in-law?s house. He will be on RS-44 and AO-7 looking for y?all. AD0DX: (@AD0DX) DM77 and maybe DM76 on Saturday May 30. An interesting email from ND9M/KH2: I?m finishing up my current tour on a U.S. merchant marine ship cur- rently anchored at Guam. I?ve been QRV from the anchorage which is at Apra Harbor. We?ll be taking a one-night run on June 2-3 to give the engines a chance to stretch their muscles. I expect to be QRV on sever- al passes on the evening of June 2 when we should be in QK13 for a few hours. Once we return to ?the hook,? I?ll start packing up for my trip back to the States that weekend and should be doing some roving in the eastern states (MD, PA, VA, MD) once I get my body re-adjusted to the the 14-hour time change. Major Roves: Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Sunday May 31, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON (Rescheduled). Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between September 22nd and October 6th. This oper- ation was originally scheduled for July, but was postponed due to trav- el restrictions. It will be Eric?s 14th trip to the island. Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including 60m , using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8/FT4 (but primarily SSB, RTTY and FT8/FT4) and the SSB/FM satellites. He will generally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 60/12/10/6m). He will be active in the CQWW DX RTTY Contest (September 26-27). ADDED NOTE: Eric will usually try to be on as many Satellite passes as he can when the WX is good, generally favoring the XW-2x, AO-7, RS-44, CA-4x, and possibly the FM birds. Weekends may be limited since he will be concentrating on the low(er) bands and contests. QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July20.html Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overnfor, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: No scheduled events The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + @Virgin_Orbit tweeted on May 25 that its initial test flight of the LauncherOne rocket was "a major step forward," even though the craft did not achieve orbit as intended. In a follow-up tweet the next day, Virgin added "We said the main product of this flight would be data, and wow, did we get a lot of it! After diving into our early anal- yses, we wanted to share more about the flight ? including both the many things that went well and what we know about the areas where we?ll need to improve." (ANS thanks @Virgin_Orbit on Twitter for the above information) + Planning to build some space hardware in your basement during your Covid-19 quaranteen? Better get your handbook! A newly revised ver- sion of the NASA Systems Engineering Handbook can be downloaded at: https://www.nasa.gov/connect/ebooks/nasa-systems-engineering-handbook (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information) + Russia plans to build a new space station because the current Inter- national Space Station will last only another decade at most, the head of the Russian space agency Roscosmos said in an interview pub- lished on Monday. "It's still unclear whether it (the new station) will be international or national," Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin said in comments to the Russian newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda. (ANS thanks n2yo.com for the above information) + Michael Wyrick, N3UC, has announced that AO-27 is now running on a schedule that places the FM repeater on for 8 minutes per orbit: 4 minutes ascending pass and 4 minutes descending pass. (ANS thanks Stephen DeVience, N8URE, for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Mon Jun 1 17:42:59 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2020 13:42:59 -0400 Subject: [ans] =?utf-8?q?ANS-153_AMSAT_News_Service_Special_Bulletin_-_New?= =?utf-8?q?ly_Revised_2020_Digital_Edition_of_=E2=80=9CGetting_Star?= =?utf-8?q?ted_with_Amateur_Satellites=E2=80=9D_Now_Available?= Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-153 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Newly Revised 2020 Digital Edition of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-153.01 ANS-153 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 153.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE June 1, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-153.01 Newly Revised 2020 Digital Edition of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available The 2020 edition of AMSAT's "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" is now available on the AMSAT store. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite infor- mation, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. This definitive reference is written for the new satellite operator, but includes discussions for the experienced operator who wishes to review the features of amateur satellite communications. The new operator will be introduced to the basic concepts and terminology unique to this mode. Additionally, there are many practical tips and tricks to ensure making contacts, and to sound like an experienced satellite operator in the process. The book is presented in DRM-free PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Joining the cover art for the first time this year is a depiction of the next generation of AMSAT satellites - AMSAT's GOLF series of 3U CubeSats. The digital download is available for $15 at https://tinyurl.com/2020GettingStarted [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sun Jun 7 00:00:07 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 6 Jun 2020 17:00:07 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-159 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-159 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Newly Revised 2020 Digital Edition of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available * Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Team in the United States Creates a New Organization: ARISS-USA * AMSAT President's Statement on Creation of ARISS-USA * Back Issues of The AMSAT Journal Available to AMSAT Members * AO-73 Now in Full-Time Transponder Mode * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 2020 * KG5FYJ Assigned to Upcoming ISS Mission * A New Way to Obtain GP Data (aka TLEs) * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-159.01 ANS-159 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 159.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE June 7, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-159.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Newly Revised 2020 Digital Edition of ?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites? Now Available The 2020 edition of AMSAT's "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" is now available on the AMSAT store. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. This definitive reference is written for the new satellite operator, but includes discussions for the experienced operator who wishes to review the features of amateur satellite communications. The new operator will be introduced to the basic concepts and terminology unique to this mode. Additionally, there are many practical tips and tricks to ensure making contacts, and to sound like an experienced satellite operator in the process. The book is presented in DRM-free PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite. Joining the cover art for the first time this year is a depiction of the next generation of AMSAT satellites - AMSAT's GOLF series of 3U CubeSats. The digital download is available for $15 at https://tinyurl.com/2020GettingStarted [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Team in the United States Creates a New Organization: ARISS-USA In late May, the USA team of the ARISS International working group became an incorporated non-profit entity in the state of Maryland, officially becoming ARISS-USA. This move allows ARISS-USA to work as an independent organization, soliciting grants and donations. They will continue promoting amateur radio and STEAM?science, technology, engineering, arts, and math within educational organizations and inspire, engage and educate our next generation of space enthusiasts. ARISS-USA will maintain its collaborative work with ARISS International as well as with US sponsors, partners, and interest groups. The main goal of ARISS-USA remains as connecting educational groups with opportunities to interact with astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). ARISS-USA will expand its human spaceflight opportunities with the space agencies, beyond low Earth orbit, starting with lunar opportunities including the Lunar Gateway. ARISS-USA will continue to review and accept proposals for ISS contacts and expand its other educational opportunities to increase interest in space sciences and radio communications. Becoming an independent organization has been discussed for quite some time. ARISS-USA lead Frank Bauer, KA3HDO said ?The scope and reach of what ARISS accomplishes each year has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in 1996. Our working group status made it cumbersome to establish partnerships, sign agreements and solicit grants. These can only be done as an established organization.? Bauer further elaborated, ?The ARISS-USA team remains deeply indebted to our working group partners?ARRL and AMSAT, who enabled the birth of ARISS?and our steadfast sponsors, NASA Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) and the ISS National Lab (INL).? ARISS-USA aims to keep earning high regards from all these partners and sponsors. While ARISS-USA is now an incorporated non-profit entity, we are in the process of applying for tax exemption as a Section 501(c)(3) charitable, scientific or educational organization. Until that status is approved by the USA Internal Revenue Service, donations made directly to ARISS-USA will not be tax deductible for taxpayers in the USA. Those wanting to make a tax deductible donation for the benefit of ARISS-USA can, in the meantime, continue to make donations to ARISS sponsor AMSAT-NA through the ARISS website at: www.ariss.org. As ARISS-USA begins a new era as a human spaceflight amateur radio organization, it acknowledges those who were so instrumental in the formation of human spaceflight amateur radio. These include Vic Clark, W4KFC and Dave Sumner, K1ZZ from the ARRL; Bill Tynan, W3XO and Tom Clark, W3IO from AMSAT; Roy Neal, K6DUE a major guide for SAREX and ARISS; and NASA astronaut Owen Garriott, W5LFL. Also remembered is Pam Mountjoy, NASA education, who had the vision to develop the ARISS working group as a single amateur radio focus into the space agencies. All of these giants? shoulders are what ARISS-USA rests upon. [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT President's Statement on Creation of ARISS-USA Announced June 5, 2020, ARISS-USA has been formed as a non-profit corporation to operate independently of The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). Since the formation of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) in the mid-1990s, AMSAT has been a consistent supplier of technical expertise, funding, and operational logistics. AMSAT will work with ARISS-USA to ensure a smooth transition for operations and funding. Over the years, as the scope and activity of ARISS grew, AMSAT continued its financial backing in times of need, providing hundreds of thousands of dollars to fund projects and operations. Many of AMSAT?s members are an integral part of the ARISS team. The human spaceflight element of AMSAT?s vision has been realized through these contributions. I offer my best wishes to ARISS-USA for a successful future. 73, Clayton W5PFG AMSAT President [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Back Issues of The AMSAT Journal Available to AMSAT Members All issues of The AMSAT Journal dating back to 2014 are now available to AMSAT members on AMSAT's new membership portal. The 1969-2013 archive will be added at a later date. Stay tuned for additional member benefits coming soon. If you're a current AMSAT member, get logged on today. If you are not yet a member, consider joining today. https://launch.amsat.org/ [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, and Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all begins with GOLF-TEE ? a technology demonstrator for deployable solar panels, propulsion, and attitude control. Come along for the ride. The journey will be worth it! https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AO-73 Now in Full-Time Transponder Mode After some eight months in continuous sunlight, AO-73 (FUNcube-1) has now started to see some eclipses during each orbit. The telemetry received has shown that the spacecraft continued to function perfectly during this period and the on board temperatures did not reach excessively high levels. After this became clear, our next concern was the battery. Having been kept fully charged for this period, would it actually hold a charge and do its job when in eclipse? After three weeks of increasing eclipse periods we can now see that indeed the Li battery appears to be ok and the bus voltage has not yet dropped below 8.1 volts. So today we have changed the operating mode from high power telemetry educational mode to continuous amateur mode with the transponder ON. The telemetry continues to be available, albeit at low power. We will, of course, continue to carefully monitor the data but are planning to leave the spacecraft in this mode for at least the next week. Please enjoy using it! [ANS thanks Graham Shirville, G3VZV, of the FUNcube Team, and AMSAT-UK 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period May 1, 2020 through June 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL May June W5CBF 564 657 K9UO 565 575 KI7UNJ New 510 WA9JBQ 250 275 W4DTA 240 261 W4ZXT 202 252 KE0WPA 152 200 W5CBF(EM21) 179 184 DL4ZAB 172 178 KE4BKL 101 125 N4BAF 100 118 AA0CW New 105 N5EKO New 102 W8EH New 101 W8EH New 100 KN4GQB New 100 KX9X New 100 W9TTY New 100 If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at @.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] -------------------------------------------------------------------- KG5FYJ Assigned to Upcoming ISS Mission NASA has assigned astronaut Kate Rubins, KG5FYJ, to a six-month mis- sion to the International Space Station as a flight engineer and member of the Expedition 63/64 crew. Rubins, along with cosmonauts Sergey Ryzhikov and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos, are scheduled to launch Oct. 14 on the Soyuz MS-17 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakh- stan. Among some of the hundreds of experiments ongoing during her mission, Rubins will conduct research using the Cold Atom Lab to study the use of laser-cooled atoms for future quantum sensors, and will work on a cardiovascular experiment that builds on an investigation she completed during her previous mission. NASA selected Rubins as an astronaut in 2009, she was licensed as a Technician class amateur in 2015, and she completed her first space- flight in 2016 as an Expedition 48/49 crew member. She launched July 6, 2016, and spent 115 days in space, during which she conducted two space- walks totaling 12 hours and 46 minutes before her return to Earth Oct. 29, 2016. During her stay on the space station, Rubins helped advance i mportant science and research and became the first person to sequence DNA in space. Born in Farmington, Connecticut, and raised in Napa, California, Rubins received a Bachelor of Science degree in molecular biology from the University of California, San Diego, in 1999 and a doctorate in cancer biology in 2005 from Stanford University School of Medicine?s Depart- ment of Biochemistry and Department of Microbiology and Immunology in Palo Alto, California. Before joining NASA, Rubins worked as a fellow/ principal investigator at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Re- search in Cambridge and headed 14 researchers studying viral diseases that primarily affect Central and West Africa. [ANS thanks NASA 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ A New Way to Obtain GP Data (aka TLEs) The US government has provided GP or general perturbations orbital data to the rest of the world since the 1970s. These data are produced by fitting observations from the US Space Surveillance Network (SSN) to produce Brouwer mean elements using the SGP4 or Simplified General Perturbations 4 orbit propagator. Many of you are familiar with this data in the form of TLEs or Two- Line Element Sets. TLEs were designed to provide the minimum data necessary to propagate the orbit of a resident space object (RSO) at a time when both bandwidth for transmission or digital storage were extremely limited. In fact, at the time, transmission might be via fax, hard copy (postal delivery), or even read over the phone and storage was handled using punch cards or magnetic tape. While this format has served us well for many decades, it has not been without its share of problems. For example, the choice of a two-digit year caused many problems approaching Y2K?problems that were side- stepped by redefining what those two digits represented?but that Y2K problem persists fully 20 years into the 21st century. And now we are approaching another milestone where we will no longer be able to catalog all the objects we track within the 5-digit catalog number limitation of the TLE format. One of the key drivers forcing us to consider tracking more than 100,000 objects is the activation of the Space Fence on Kwajalein Atoll. The Space Fence reached initial operational capability (IOC) on 2020 Mar 27 and is expected to track far more than the ~26,000 objects currently tracked by the SSN?perhaps by as much as an order of magnitude. And we are expecting to see public availability of data from the Space Fence starting some time this summer (2020). The 18th Space Control Squadron (18 SPCS) has already transitioned internally to using 9- digit catalog numbers in support of these changes and we expect 18 SPCS to release data from the Space Fence using 9-digit catalog numbers. For the complete article, please see: https://celestrak.com/NORAD/documentation/gp-data-formats.php [ANS thanks Dr. T.S. Kelso of CelsTrak for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED: June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services, 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 Quick Hits: EN55: @KC9KKA Currently planning the somewhat elusive EN67 on June 12 for a couple passes and some POTA. EM98, EM98 and EM97: @NoTEL_0738, I will be in West Virginia from June 10-13. I will be in EM88/98 and possibly EM97. FM sats only. I will probably activate a couple different grids going to WV on June 9 and returning home on June 14 (no set plans). W6KSR (@W6KSR) He?s goin? fishin? end of this week in DM06. Be up there June 4th through 7th, working Panther Martin lures and FM satellites exclusively. CN81: Friday 6/5. @WB7VUF will be on AO91 and AO92 from 18:07 to 19:48 and may try SO50 FN54 and Maybe the FN44/54 line: KQ2RP/1 from June 6th to the 12th, Holiday style, listen for him on the FM birds. Hey you guys from the EU: @N4DCW be in EM56 June 5-7 with a semi- decent N-E horizon from his sister-in-law?s house. He will be on RS-44 and AO-7 looking for y?all. Major Roves: AD0DX is heading out again! Check out his QRZ page for details! Friday, June 12th: DM77, DM76 and DM75 Saturday, June 13th: DM65, DM75 Sunday, June 14th: DM66,DM67,DM76 and DM77 Corner DN98, 97, 96 & EN08,07,06,17,18,27 and 28: @AD0HJ North Dakota Mega Rove Part II: Another trip out to North Dakota between June 10th and June 14th to rove the grids I missed there (blue grids) two weeks ago. Look for a simplified pass schedule to be posted early next week. Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Monday, July 6th, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + FoxTelem / Fox-in-a-Box Tips: 1) Use a short USB extension cord to physically isolate your SDR dongle from the computer/Pi. There will be less mechanical stress, and a better electrical connection, which will give fewer errors. 2) If you use an RTL-SDR dongle (not really supported, but mostly works), don't turn on DUV and High Speed at the same time. You will get an error when the decoder starts. Note especially if you have it set up to start when the satellite comes over the horizon. [ANS thanks Chris Thompson, G0KLA/AC2CZ, AMSAT FoxTelem Developer, and Burns Fisher, WB1FJ, AMSAT Flight Software, for this information] + The Harbin Institute of Technology released a short cartoon video entitled "Longjiang-2: Journey to the Moon" about LO-94, the world's smallest spacecraft which entered lunar orbit independently. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGi1aACPA4A&feature=youtu.be [ANS thanks the Harbin Institute of Technology for this information] + Kylee Shirbroun, KE0WPA, posted a short portion of the science fair video she made about amateur radio satellites. It can be found at https://twitter.com/kylee_ke0wpa/status/1267867729320534016 [ANS thanks Kylee Shirbroun, KE0WPA, for this information] + Mineo Wakita, JE9PEL, maintains a Doppler.sqf file for using active amateur satellites in SatPC32. It can be found at: http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/Doppler.sqf + The AMSAT Folding at home team continues to climb the rankings. Now in the top 1,200 of all teams at the time of this writing, the team has grown to 44 members with 77 active CPUs within the past 50 days and includes ten members in the top 100,000 of all users. Alex Free, N7AGF, is our top contributor with over 92,000,000 points credited to AMSAT's team. For more information about the Folding at home project and how you can contribute to scientific research, including the fight against COVID-19, see https://foldingathome.org/. AMSAT's team number is 69710: https://stats.foldingathome.org/team/69710 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Wed Jun 10 21:14:38 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Wed, 10 Jun 2020 17:14:38 -0400 Subject: [ans] ANS-162 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-162 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-162.01 ANS-162 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 162.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE June 10, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-162.01 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event The 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting in- person event scheduled to be held in Bloomington, Minnesota has been canceled. The event will be shifted to a virtual, online platform. This comes after a decision made between AMSAT's Senior Leadership and Board of Directors in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While AMSAT recognizes the national challenges related to recent events in Minneapolis, they have no bearing on the Symposium decision whatsoever. We anticipate holding 2021's Annual Space Symposium at the previously announced 2020 venue. The in-person event was scheduled to occur Friday, October 16th - Sunday, October 18th. As the 2020 virtual event plans are developed, they will be announced via the usual AMSAT channels. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From n1uw at gokarns.com Sun Jun 14 00:18:42 2020 From: n1uw at gokarns.com (Frank Karnauskas) Date: Sat, 13 Jun 2020 19:18:42 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-166 AMSAT New Service Weekly Bulletin Message-ID: <001501d641e1$5ce3d350$16ab79f0$@gokarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-166 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. The news feed on http://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. In this edition: * 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event * 15 Canadian CubeSats to launch from 2021 * AMSAT Member Portal Huge Success! * BY70-2 with FM-to-Codec2 Transponder Scheduled for July Launch * Two Satellites Receive Frequency Coordination from the IARU * IARU Submits Paper on Increasing Noise from Digital Devices * New Satellite Distance Records Claimed * ISS Runs 6558 Astro Pi Youth Programs in 2019/20 * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires and Other Events * ARISS News * Satellite Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-166.01 ANS-166 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 166.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. June 14, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-166.01 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event The 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting in-person event scheduled to be held in Bloomington, Minnesota has been canceled. The event will be shifted to a virtual, online platform. This comes after a decision made between AMSAT's Senior Leadership and Board of Directors in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While AMSAT recognizes the national challenges related to recent events in Minneapolis, they have no bearing on the Symposium decision whatsoever. We anticipate holding the 2021 Annual Space Symposium at the previously announced 2020 venue. The in-person event was scheduled to occur Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. As the 2020 virtual event plans are developed, they will be announced via the usual AMSAT channels. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ 15 Canadian CubeSats to launch from 2021 Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) report 15 CubeSat satellites are being built by students in Canada, all are expected to carry amateur radio payloads. The RAC post says: "The Canadian Space Agency has been providing support and guidance to 15 teams of university and college students across Canada who are building satellites. These satellites are in the ?CubeSat? format, based on a standardized architecture of 10 centimeter cubes. All 15 proposed satellites will be deployed from the International Space Station (ISS), possibly starting in 2021. "RAC is involved in explaining how, and under what conditions, Amateur Radio can be used for communications with these spacecraft, and a requirement of the frequency coordination process with the International Amateur Radio Union is an endorsement from RAC. "We were aware that the suspension of university classes due to the global pandemic could affect the teams? progress, but I am pleased to report that all of the teams have chosen to use Amateur Radio communications and we continue to receive requests from them, although at a slower rate than in the past. About half of the teams have now received endorsements for their projects from RAC and have sent their proposals to the IARU for frequency coordination. "Designing and constructing CubeSats is a complicated, multi-year process. These projects will develop the students? skills in many facets of engineering, science, technology, business and project management. Once in orbit, the satellites will also assist pure and applied scientific research and some may offer facilities that Amateurs across Canada and around the world can use." [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and the Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC) for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Member Portal Huge Success! It's been 45 days since the launch of AMSAT's online Member Portal. In that short time, 1,060 members have logged in, and 254 new and previously expired members were added to AMSAT ranks. Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services reports, "A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into transitioning our old dBase4 database into our new online Member Portal. It has been a humbling experience to see everything come together and the expanded services we can now offer our Members." While the original plan was to spend the first couple of months getting members signed up, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President took the initiative to collect, capture and upload the AMSAT Journals dating back to 2014 and make them accessible to AMSAT members. In addition, Paul also made added AMSAT's latest Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide as a member-only benefit. Robert adds, "This was a huge effort and added great value for AMSAT members. Be sure to thank Paul for making it happen. To all of the members who have already signed up on the new AMSAT Member Portal and those who I have exchanged emails with, I thank you. I hope the level of our service lives up to your expectations." Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President adds, "It's great to see the years of work behind this transition all finally come together. Robert was the key person implementing this system but, as with anything, it was a team effort involving several people, including: - Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, now-President originally proposed a managed membership solution to resolve the problems we ran into for several years while attempting to build our own membership solution using open-source tools, - Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P - AMSAT IT team lead who has provided an immense amount of support and leadership for our IT systems for many years, - Matt Alberti, KM4EXS - An invaluable member of our IT team, and, - Martha Saragovitz - Our long-time office manager." For those who have not signed up, it's a fairly simple process and takes only a few minutes of your time. It is important that each and every member logs in and MAKES SURE THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION IS UP TO DATE. While you're there, take a moment to download the current satellite frequency guide and to browse The AMSAT Journal Archive. If you not a member, there is no better time to join. Visit https://launch.amsat.org/. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all begins with GOLF-TEE - a technology demonstrator for deployable solar panels, propulsion, and attitude control. Come along for the ride. The journey will be worth it! https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ BY70-2 With FM-to-Codec2 Transponder Scheduled for July Launch Wei Mingchaun, BG2BHC, reports on Twitter that BY70-2 is scheduled to launch in July. BY70-2 will serve as a replacement for BY70-1, a 2U CubeSat which launched on December 26, 2016. Due to a booster failure, BY70-1 was placed in an elliptical orbit with a low perigee and the satellite's orbit decayed in February 2017. Unlike BY70-1, which carried an FM transponder, BY70-2 will carry an FM-to-Codec2 transponder similar to the ones on board LO-90 and Taurus-1. More information about working this type of transponder can be found in an article entitled "Digital Voice on Amateur Satellites: Experiences with LilacSat-OSCAR 90" by Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, in the January/February 2019 issue of The AMSAT Journal. The article can also be found on the AMSAT website at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-166-BY70-2. BY70-2 is scheduled to launch into a sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of approximately 500 km. As a replacement, the satellite is sharing BY70-1's IARU coordination and ITU API notification. The uplink frequency will be 145.920 MHz and the downlink frequency will be 436.200 MHz. [ANS thanks Wei Mingchaun, BG2BHC, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Two Satellites Receive Frequency Coordination from the IARU + CAS-7C is planned by the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group - CAMSAT . A 2U CubeSat with a V/U transponder with a CW beacon will also deploy a carbon fibre rope with 1 mm diameter and 1080 meters length. Launch is planned on September 15 from Jiuquan Launch center into a 500km 97 degree inclination orbit together with CAS-5B and CAS-7A. Downlink for CW telemetry beacon is 435.715 MHz Downlink for a FM transponder is 435.690 MHz with an uplink on 145.900 MHz. + KITSUNE is planned by the Kyushu Institute of Technology. KITSUNE is a 6U CubeSat carrying four missions,1) a high resolution camera will capture 5 meter-class resolution images; 2) a C-band demonstration will demonstrate up to 20Mbps amateur high-speed data downlink; and 3) a C-band mobile ground station will uplink a command to take 2 megapixel compressed images and downlink immediately to demonstrate downlink speed up to 1Mbps. A fourth mission, to detect the time delay between uplink command sent from the ground station and receiving time on the satellite side is not Amateur Radio related. Launch from the ISS is planned during 2020. A CW beacon will operate on 437.375 MHz CW beacon. HK data using 4k8 GMSK will operate at 5840.000 MHz. More info is available at https://kitsat.net/kitsune. [ANS thanks the IARU for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- IARU Submits Paper on Increasing Noise from Digital Devices International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) specialists Tore Worren, LA9QL, and Martin Sach, G8KDF, have submitted a paper to the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR) concerning the increasing impact of multiple digital devices on noise levels in the radio spectrum. The paper was considered at the CISPR Steering Committee in late May and it was adopted for circulation to the CISPR National Committee for comment as a Committee Draft, with a view toward its becoming a CISPR Report. ?IARU hopes that the result of this will be amendments to the way in which standards are developed to recognize the need to properly consider the cumulative impact of multiple devices,? said IARU Region 1 President Don Beattie, G3BJ, in an IARU news brief. [ANS thanks the ARRL and the IARU for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- New Satellite Distance Records Claimed A slew of new records have been claimed for old and new satellites alike! First up is the new DX sensation, RS-44. It's strong downlink and exceptional sensitivity has allowed for several QSOs beyond its theoretical 7,942 km maximum surface range. Hector Martinez, W5CBF, in Lake Charles, LA reports working Antonio Gutierrez, DL4EA, in B?blingen, Germany on May 26, 2020 at 23:07 UTC - a distance of 8,357km. The previous record of 8,314 km by KI7UNJ and EB1AO stood just nine days. For the QSO, Hector used an Alaskan Arrow antenna and an Icom IC-9700 on the roof of the 310' tall Capital One Tower in Lake Charles, LA, offering an exceptional view of the northern sky. Next, Guillermo Guerra, OA4/XQ3SA, in Lima, Peru reports that he completed a QSO with Alex Diaz, XE1MEX, in Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico via AO-92 in Mode L/v on June 3, 2020 at 04:07 UTC. The 4,202 km distance this QSO covered exceeds the prior AO-92 Mode L/v record of 3,730 km, held by N7AGF and N1JEZ. Since its revival last month, AO-27 has enjoyed considerable popularity despite only being active for approximately 4 minutes per orbit over mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Krissada Futrakul, E21EJC, in Bangkok, Thailand reports completing a QSO with Vladiir Vassiljev, R9LR, in Tyumen, Russia on June 9, 2020 at 2 3:35 UTC. The distance covered by this QSO was 5,682 km, eclipsing the previous record of 5,119 km held by WD9EWK and VO1ONE from February 2006. Finally, record claims for satellites that are no longer in service are also welcome. Andre Van Deventer, then-ZS6UK (now ZS2BK), reports that he completed a QSO from his previous QSO near Johannesburg, South Africa with David Guimont, WB6LLO, in San Diego, California via AO-10 Mode B on September 2, 1983. This QSO covered a distance of 16,625 km. The previous record was claimed by W0RPK for a 15,242 km QSO with VK8OB in April 1984. A claim has also been received for a QSO via AO-13 Mode B. Alejandro Alvarez, LU8YD, reports a QSO with Tetsuhiro Inoue, JE2VVN, on June 3, 1996. The distance between the two stations was 17,802 km, eclipsing the previous record held by AD7D (then-KA7LDN) and FR5DN of 17,097 km. AMSAT's list of distance records for amateur satellites can be found at https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/. Please email n8hm at amsat.org if you wish to claim a new record, longer distance QSO not yet documented, or records for any other satellite/ transponder not yet listed. Claims that exceed 5% beyond the theoretical maximum range of the satellite may require additional evidence, such as audio recordings of the QSO in order to be listed. Exceptional claims may be referred to a panel of experienced satellite operators for adjudication. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for the above information] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ISS Runs 6558 Astro Pi Youth Programs in 2019/20 The team at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, in collaboration with ESA Education, announced that all of this year?s successful Astro Pi programs have now run aboard the International Space Station. This year, a record 6350 teams of students and young people from all 25 eligible countries successfully entered Mission Zero, and had their programs run on the Astro Pi computers on board the ISS for 30 seconds each. The Mission Zero teams measured the temperature inside the ISS Columbus module and used the Astro Pi LED matrix to display the measurement together with a greeting to the astronauts, including Chris Cassidy, who oversaw this year?s experiments. In addition, 208 teams of students and young people are currently in the final phase of Astro Pi Mission Space Lab. Over the last few weeks, each of these teams has had their scientific experiment run on either Astro Pi Ed or Astro Pi Izzy for 3 hours each. Teams interested in life on Earth used Astro Pi Izzy?s near-infrared camera to capture images to investigate, for example, vegetation health and the impact of human life on our planet. Using Astro Pi Ed?s sensors, participants investigated life in space, measuring the conditions on the ISS and even mapping the magnetic field of Earth. This year a problem was encountered during the deployment of some experiments investigating life on Earth. When it downloaded the first batch of data from the ISS, it was realized that Astro Pi Izzy had an incorrect setting, which resulted in some pictures turning pink. Not only that, the CANADARM was the middle of Izzy?s window view. All Mission Space Lab teams have now received their data back from the ISS to analyse and summarized in their final scientific reports. So that they can write their reports while social distancing measures are in place, program managers are sharing special guidance and advice on how best to collaborate remotely and have extended the submission deadline to July 3, 2020. The programs teams sent this year were outstanding in their quality, creativity, and technical skill. A jury of experts appointed by ESA and the Raspberry Pi Foundation will judge all of the Mission Space Lab reports and select the ten teams with the best reports as the winners of the European Astro Pi Challenge 2019/20. Each of the ten winning teams will receive a special prize. Every team that participated in Mission Zero or Mission Space Lab this year will receive a special certificate in celebration of their achievements during the European Astro Pi Challenge. More information at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-166-RaspberryPi [ANS thanks the Raspberry Pi Foundation 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations + Quick Hits EM58 (Saturday 7/11/20) N4DCW 15:00 ? 18:00 + Major Roves: DL88: Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn't?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Monday July 6, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires and Other Events +Shelby NC Hamfest - September 4-5, 2020 Philip Jenkins, N4HF is planning to set-up an information table and to present a forum at the Shelby NC Hamfest Friday and Saturday, Sept 4 and 5. (The hamfest runs September 4-6. but Philip will probably only be there Friday and Saturday.) Demonstrations are possible if he can get others to help. For information or if you want to help, contact N4HF. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News Upcoming School Contacts I.E.S. Pedro de Valdivia, Villanueva de la Serena, Spain, Multi-point telebridge via ON4ISS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS. The scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy KF5KDR. Contact is go for: Tuesday June 16, 2020, 12:25:27 UTC (84 deg). Watch for live stream at: https://youtu.be/PyNqsTMqAoQ [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Shorts from All Over + Tony Hutchison VK5ZAI Honored Congratulations to Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI in being recognized and awarded the Order of Australia medal (AM) in the June 8th Queens Birthday honors list. For those that don't know what Tony has done, he has mentored 65 ARISS schools and been the telebridge station for 58 ARISS contacts. Plus he was very involved with SAREX. The actual announcement can be found on page 7 of 28 at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-166-VK5ZAI. [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.] + New Sun Clock Quantifies Extreme Space Weather Switch On/Off Extreme space weather events can significantly impact systems such as satellites, communications systems, power distribution and aviation. The clock will help scientists to determine more precisely when the risk for solar storms is highest and help to plan the impacts of space weather on our space infrastructure, important since the next switch on of activity may be imminent as solar activity moves from its current minimum. Complete information at: https://preview.tinyurl.com/ANS-166-Clock [ANS thanks SpaceRef.com for the above information.] + Back Issues of AMSAT Publications Needed All issues of the AMSAT Journal and other publications from 2014 to the present are available for members via the AMSAT Membership Portal. However, AMSAT's archives have a gap. If anyone has copies of The AMSAT Journal or its sister publications, The Amateur Satellite Report, or other AMSAT periodical from 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, or 1992, please let Paul Stoetzer, N8HM know. AMSAT will reimburse for mailing costs both ways for use of these publications if electronic copies are not available. In the short term, members should expect to see other resources made available in the Membership Portal very soon. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President 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, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org Sent via AMSAT-BB at amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA. Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb From ki7unj at gmail.com Sun Jun 21 00:00:00 2020 From: ki7unj at gmail.com (KI7UNJ Tucker) Date: Sat, 20 Jun 2020 17:00:00 -0700 Subject: [ans] ANS-173 AMSAT New Service Weekly Bulletin Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-173 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Announces Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Election * AMSAT Announces GridMaster Award * CAS-6 Online * Amicalsat - Aurora Pictures * Raspberry Pi FUNcube Satellite Telemetry Decoder Now Available * ORI Announces ARRL Foundation Grant Award * ORI Announces YASME Foundation Grant Award * 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-173.01 ANS-173 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 173.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE June 21, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-173.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT Announces Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Election The nomination period for this year's AMSAT Board of Directors election ended June 15. The following candidates have been found to have their membership in good standing and their nomination credentials in order: Howard DeFelice, AB2S Mark Hammond, N8MH Jeff Johns, WE4B Robert McGwier, N4HY Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM This year, AMSAT will be electing three voting members of the Board of Directors. These will go to the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In addition, there will be two alternates chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received. Further details regarding the mechanics of the election will appear in ANS in the near future. Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT membership by July 15th based on a membership list that will be generated as early as July 1. Members are encouraged to use the AMSAT Membership Portal at launch.amsat.org to verify that their membership is in good standing and their mailing address is correct. [ANS thanks Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces GridMaster Award Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director and Contest and Awards Manager, announced AMSAT is now the official sponsor of the GridMaster Award, effective June 15, 2020. This award was first introduced in 2014 by the Star Comm Group. AMSAT thanks Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, for not only developing and sponsoring this award since its inception, but, also, entrusting AMSAT with the honor of carrying on this important award for the benefit of the entire AMSAT community. The GridMaster Award is available to all amateurs worldwide who submit proof with written confirmation of contacts with each of the 488 maidenhead grids located within the 48 contiguous United States of America. Two-way communication must be established via amateur satellite with each grid. There is no minimum signal report required. Contacts must be made from the same location, or from locations no two of which are more than 200 kilometers apart. The applicant?s attestation in the award application serves as affirmation of abidance to the distance rule. There are no endorsements and no recognized tiers of progression; however, amateur operators may apply for and be granted multiple GridMaster awards, when operating from separate and unique 200-kilometer circles. A numbered and dated certificate will be awarded to each person who qualifies for the award at no cost. In addition, awardees may purchase an engraved plaque to commemorate their achievement. Since its introduction, ten amateur satellite operators have claimed the title of Grid Master: 01 John Papay, K8YSE 02 Doug Papay, KD8CAO 03 Rick Tillman, WA4NVM 04 Glenn Miller, AA5PK 05 Clayton Coleman, W5PFG 06 Alvaro De Leon R., XE2AT 07 Fernando Ramirez, NP4JV 08 Ron Oldham, N8RO 09 Randy Kohlwey, WI7P 10 Frank Westphal, K6FW So, who will be awarded AMSAT's GridMaster Certificate No. 11? Are you up for the challenge? Please visit amsat.org/gridmaster/ for further details. [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- CAS-6 Online The CAS-6 V/UHF antenna has been deployed today. Due to some OBC failures, CW beacon and GMSK telemetry are not working properly. At present, only the carriers are transmitted on the two frequencies, the linear transponder has been put into operation. We will then try to diagnose and then determine whether the CW and telemetry data stream transmission can be recovered. CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910MHz AX.25 4.8kbps GMSK Telemetry: 145.890MHz U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925MHz, 20kHz bandwidth, Inverted U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280MHz TLE: CAS-6(2019-093C) 1 44881U 19093C 20170.81187924 -.00001118 00000-0 -13581-3 0 9991 2 44881 97.9575 246.8556 0015830 36.2280 323.9959 14.81412013 26893 [ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT's GOLF Program is about getting back to higher orbits, and it all begins with GOLF-TEE ? a technology demonstrator for deployable solar panels, propulsion, and attitude control. Come along for the ride. The journey will be worth it! https://tinyurl.com/ANS-GOLF +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Amicalsat - Aurora Pictures The Vega rocket (VV16) was scheduled to launch from Kourou on 19 June 2020 01:51:10 GMT with 53 satellites on board. Due to wind conditions this launch has been delayed until at least 21 June. One of the satellites that will be leaving is the Amicalsat satellite built by the CSUG (Centre Spatial Universitaire Grenoblois). The measurements made by the satellite will be available to all. They will allow radio amateurs to use them for propagation predictions. The project's website (in English) has just been put online: http://amicalsat.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/. The Amsat-Francophone supported this project: http://site.amsat-f.org/amicalsat/ Software (Linux & Windows) is provided for decoding the telemetry and sending it to the database (SatNogs). The user manual is available (in English) https://tinyurl.com/Amicalsat-User-Manual *Beacon* *Frequency* *Modes* *Callsign* UHF 436.1 MHz AFSK 1200 RS17S S band 2,415.3 MHz GFSK 1000 kb/s http://amsat-f.org/AMSATLIST/SatellitePage/UK/0Amicalsat.html Reports are welcome. Thank you for your help. [ANS thanks Christophe Mercier, AMSAT-F Chairman 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Raspberry Pi FUNcube Satellite Telemetry Decoder Now Available The FUNcube Team has announced the availability of FUNcube CubeSat sat- ellite telemetry decoder software for the popular Raspberry Pi computer board. The original FUNcube telemetry decoder and Dashboard was designed to run on Windows devices and the FUNcube team did publish the telemetry format in accordance with the Amateur Satellite Service traditions and requirements. The Team had planned to opensource the Telemetry Decoder and provide an implementation on Linux, but several new missions after the original FUNcube-1 delayed their plans somewhat. Late 2019, the Team had the opportunity to develop a low power/low im- pact ground station, based on Docker containers, for use at the Neu- mayer III Antarctic base at DP0GVN. This led us to evolve the code such that it would run on a Raspberry Pi. The Linux implementation is suitable for use on Raspberry Pi versions from 2B+ to 4 and with a FUNcube dongle (Pro or Pro+). The software will tune a dongle to search for and track all three FUNcube compatible spacecraft currently operational. The Telemetry Decoder is configured with five active decoders operating concurrently so it can deal with situations where more than one of the spacecraft are overhead at the same time. The decoder and warehouse uploader run as a Docker container for con- venience shell scripts have been provided to launch the container in one of two modes: ? ?Interactive Mode? is when the Telemetry Decoder operates in the fore- ground , when FUNcube compatible telemetry is received, the correspond- ing hex data is displayed on the terminal screen. ? ?Background Mode? allows the telemetry decoder to run as a Docker image in the background where it operates much like any other back- ground service on Linux. This mode allows for the automatic restarting of the telemetry decoder after a shutdown or reboot of the Raspberry Pi, therefore making it suitable for a remote deployment situation. *Both modes, when connected to the internet, will upload the received data to the FUNcube Data Warehouse and the totals displayed on the Ranking Page in the normal manner. *Uploading to the warehouse requires online registration with the FUN- cube Data Warehouse. All the code for the telemetry decoder, and the scripts to build the Docker images, are now published online under a GPL Open Source License at the FUNcube-Dev GitHub account https://github.com/funcube-dev Alternatively, it possible to buy a pre-formatted microSD card for the Pi from the AMSAT-UK shop at https://shop.amsat-uk.org/ Full instructions PDF can be downloaded from https://tinyurl.com/RPi-FUNcube-Decoder FUNcube Data Warehouse http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/missions [ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ORI Announces ARRL Foundation Grant Award ORI, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to open source research and development in amateur radio, has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the ARRL Foundation. This grant, the maximum amount, will be immediately applied to Phase 1 of the Digital Multiplex Transponder research and development program. This grant allows hardware prototypes for broad- band microwave digital payloads to proceed much more quickly. Established in 1973 by the American Radio Relay League, Inc. (ARRL) as an independent and separate 501(c)(3) organization, the ARRL Foundation administers programs to support the Amateur Radio community. Funded entirely by the generous contributions of radio amateurs and friends, ARRL Foundation administers programs for Amateur Radio award scholarships for higher education, award grants for Amateur Radio projects, and award special Amateur Radio program grants for The Victor C. Clark Youth Incentive Program and The Jesse A. Bieberman Meritorious Membership Program. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NVY, CEO and Director, ORI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ORI Announces YASME Foundation Grant Award ORI, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to open source research and development in amateur radio, has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Yasme Foundation. This grant completes the Phase 1 fundraising campaign and allows ORI?s communications prototype work for geosynchronous and interplanetary amateur radio satellites to proceed. The Yasme Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation organized to support scientific and educational projects related to amateur radio, including DXing (long distance communication) and the introduction and promotion of amateur radio in developing countries. Yasme supports various projects relating to amateur radio, with an emphasis on developing amateur radio in emerging countries and encouraging youth participation in amateur radio. The Yasme Foundation makes supporting grants to individuals and organizations providing or creating useful services for the amateur radio community. Regardless of originality or novelty, Yasme supports these programs in order to further the development of amateur radio around the world. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NVY, CEO and Director, ORI for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting Moving to Virtual Event The 38th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting in-person event scheduled to be held in Bloomington, Minnesota has been canceled. The event will be shifted to a virtual, online platform. This comes after a decision made between AMSAT's Senior Leadership and Board of Directors in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While AMSAT recognizes the national challenges related to recent events in Minneapolis, they have no bearing on the Symposium decision whatsoever. We anticipate holding the 2021 Annual Space Symposium at the previously announced 2020 venue. The in-person event was scheduled to occur Friday, October 16 through Sunday, October 18. As the 2020 virtual event plans are developed, they will be announced via the usual AMSAT channels. [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Upcoming Satellite Operations + Quick Hits DN65/66 (Sunday 6/22/2020) N7EGY + Major Roves: DL88: Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn't get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Monday July 6, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS News ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir- ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio. No upcoming events reported The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions. ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem- ber in their own homes (even quarantined). [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been canceled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. *No events currently scheduled A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Diwata-2 (PO-101) has been active daily to provide emergency access during the COVID-19 pandemic. Check https://twitter.com/Diwata2PH for the daily activation schedule [ANS thanks DIWATA-2 Ground Team for the above information] + The following satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed From this week's AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution: 1KUNS-PF - NORAD Cat ID 43466 (Decayed from orbit June 11, 2020 per Space-Track). + A new organization, the National Radio Society of Ireland (NRSI) has has been newly founded this year, 2020. Membership is open to all amateur radio operators and shortwave listeners who are either full- time residents or who have, in the past, spent a minimum of two months in Ireland as a visitor. NRSI became member association of the European Radio Amateurs' Organization (EURAO) on June 11. For details, see https://www.nrsi.ie [ANS thanks EURAO for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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, Casey Tucker, KI7UNJ ki7unj at amsat dot org From k0jm.mark at gmail.com Sun Jun 28 00:00:00 2020 From: k0jm.mark at gmail.com (Mark Johns, K0JM) Date: Sat, 27 Jun 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-180 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-180 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Now Available to AMSAT Members * Ham Talk Live Episode on Satellite Etiquette * ASEE Presentation on CubeSatSim * CAS-6 Becomes TO-108, Added to AMSAT TLE Distribution * AMSAT Announces Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Election * ARISS Volunteer VK5ZAI Named Member of the Order of Australia * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-180.01 ANS-180 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 180.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 June 28 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-180.01 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT Symposium Proceedings Now Available to AMSAT Members All editions of the AMSAT Symposium Proceedings dating back to 1986 are now available as a benefit of AMSAT membership via the Member Resources section of our new membership portal at launch.amsat.org. If you're a current member and have not yet logged on to the portal, please do so to ensure that your information is accurate in the database and check out the online resources we have made available to all members, including Proceedings, all issues of The AMSAT Journal dating back to 2014, and a printable frequency chart listing currently available amateur satellites. If you're not a current member, now is a great time to sign up. Visit https://launch.amsat.org/ today! (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ham Talk Live Episode on Satellite Etiquette Popular internet podcast "Ham Talk Live!" this past week featured an episode on Satellite Etiquette. The podcast, which uses the format of a radio call-in show, streams live on Thursdays at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (0100z in the current Daylight Time regimine), can be replayed on You- Tube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF1FnCczwUikw1aKsTqMR9g as Episode 218. Podcast host, Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, conducted interviews with Kevin Zari, KK4YEL and Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Services about basic satellite operating etiquette as well as how to conduct satellite operations special event stations, such as roamers and during events such as Field Day. [ANS thanks @HamTalkLive on Twitter 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ CAS-6 Becomes TO-108, Added to AMSAT TLE Distribution The CAS-6 (TQ-1) microsatellite was launched December 20, 2019 on a CZ-4B launch vehicle from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center, China. CAS-6 (TQ-1) was developed by the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) and in cooperation with China?s commercial satellite manufac- turer. CAMSAT completed the design and manufacture of the amateur radio payload, and manages the on-orbit operation of the payload. The satel- lite carries CW and digital telemetry beacons and a linear transponder. The deployment of the amateur antennas was delayed due technical and COVID-19 issues, but was completed on June 20, 2020. Currently the beacons are carriers only, and the transponder operates with about 2 seconds on and 5 seconds off. At the request of CAMSAT and the CAS-6 team, AMSAT hereby designates CAS-6 (TQ-1) as TQ-OSCAR 108 (TO-108). We congratulate the owners and operators of TO-108, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and fu- ture projects. Frequencies for the intended radio amatuer mission are: ? CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910 MHz ? AX.25 4.8kbps GMSK Telemetry: 145.890 MHz ? U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925 MHz, 20 kHz bandwidth ? U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280 MHz, Inverted Operator reports indicate that the transponder is active only for brief intervals of about 2 seconds, spaced approximately seconds apart. With patience, and quick transmissions, QSOs have been completed. CAS-6 (NORAD Cat ID 44881) has been added to the AMSAT distributions of Two Line Element (TLE) sets beginning from June 25, 2020. Watch for possible future changes to the satellite name in future TLEs. [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations & OSCAR Number Administrator; Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager; and Alan Kung, BA1DU, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ASEE Presentation on CubeSatSim At this week's American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE) virtual national conference, AMSAT's VP of Educational Relations, Alan Johns- ton, Ph.D., KU2Y, presented a paper on the use of the AMSAT CubeSatSim in the classroom. His paper "The CubeSat Mini Project: Experiences with an Introductory Freshman Electrical and Computer Engineering Course" described the use of the CubeSatSim in the spring of 2019 at Villanova University. In addition to building CubeSatSims, the students also built tape mea- sure Yagi-Uda antennas, tracked amateur radio satellites, and listened to morse code telemetry using SDRs. The CubeSatSim is a low cost sat- ellite emulator that runs on solar panels and batteries, transmits UHF radio telemetry, has a 3D printed frame, and can be extended by addi- tional sensors and modules. It can be built for about $200. Details about the design and use of the simulator are in a series of articles in the AMSAT Journal. More information on the AMSAT CubeSatSim is available at https://cubesatsim.org or by contacting Alan at ku2y at amsat dot org or on Twitter @alanbjohnston. [ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP Educational Relations for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Announces Candidates for 2020 Board of Directors Election The nomination period for this year's AMSAT Board of Directors election ended June 15. The following candidates have been found to have their membership in good standing and their nomination credentials in order: Howard DeFelice, AB2S Mark Hammond, N8MH Jeff Johns, WE4B Robert McGwier, N4HY Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM This year, AMSAT will be electing three voting members of the Board of Directors. These will go to the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In addition, there will be two alternates chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received. Further details regarding the mechanics of the election will appear in ANS in the near future. Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT membership by July 15th based on a membership list that will be generated as early as July 1. Members are encouraged to use the AMSAT Membership Portal at launch.amsat.org to verify that their membership is in good standing and their mailing address is correct. [ANS thanks Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ARISS Volunteer VK5ZAI Named Member of the Order of Australia Veteran Amateur Radio on the International Radio Station (ARISS) volun- teer Tony Hutchison, VK5ZAI, has been honored as a Member of the Order of Australia in Queen Elizabeth?s Birthday Honours List. Hutchison was recognized ?For significant service to amateur radio, particularly to satellite and space communication.? The Australian Government?s Depart- ment of the Prime Minister and Cabinet noted that Hutchison is one of 10 official ARISS telebridge stations to the International Space Sta- tion, as well as a HamTV ground station. Hutchison?s station has served as the ham radio contact point for ISS crew members to speak with schools and groups on Earth via ham radio, when a contact location is not within the footprint of an ISS pass. The students connect via a teleconference line from their school to the telebridge station, and then with the astronaut using ham radio. Hutchison provided communication support for contacts with Australian astronaut Andy Thomas, VK5JAT/VK5MIR, during Thomas?s tour on the Rus- sian Mir space station, and he enabled the first school contact with Mir in 1993. As part of ARISS, he helped 65 schools prepare for ARISS contacts and used his telebridge station for 58 ARISS contacts through- out the world. He is a member of AMSAT-VK. ?Tony?s been an ARISS mentor for years, and was lead of Australia?s mentors,? ARISS-International Secretary Rosalie White, K1STO, said. ?He enjoyed talking to the Mir crews long before.? White said that Hutchison, who is in his early 80s, remains involved in the ARISS pro- gram. Licensed in 1960, Hutchison became interested in satellite com- munication in 1965 with OSCAR-3. ?Although I received the honour, I would like to share it with all team members I work with,? Hutchison said. ?If it wasn?t for the work that all the ARISS-International volunteers do, this award would never have been given.? An investiture ceremony is tentatively set for this fall. [ANS thanks ARRL 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. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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 Upcoming Roves: Quick Hits: CM86, 6/26. W6KSR: Will be on a few passes on Friday from CM86, EM19, 6/27 & 6/28 KE9AJ : Will be at the farm with FM and Linear gear. FM25 and Maybe FM26, @KM4LAO Now though 6/28. Ruth will be at the beach, no schedule yet! EM58/EM59, 6/29 @KX9X will be heading out to the grid line between 14:00 and 22:00. Watch his twitter feed for updates. <- Updated EM57 & EM67 (Saturday 7/11 & 7/12) N4DCW <-Change of grids! FN45 & FN46, VE2FUA, 7/12 & 7/13: Chris is heading out to a little known state (to rovers at least) called Maine. Might want to get him while he is there. Major Roves: @WY7AA is heading out again!!! Starting July 13th DN63 (Some Day passes) DN64 fir a few days of fly fishing then DN55 ? DN68, and getting home on July 31st?. DL88: Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elu- sive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Monday July 6th, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More in- formation is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overnfor, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: * Shelby NC Hamfest (Contact N4HF for info or if you want to help.) Phil Jenkins, N4HF, is planning to present a forum ? and set-up/man an info table ? at the Shelby NC Hamfest Friday/Saturday Sept 4 & 5. (the ?fest runs Sept 4-6, but he?ll probably only be there Friday and Saturday). Demos possible if additional volunteers step up. A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + Rohit Bokade, VU3OIR, has started a petition requesting a change to the Amateur Radio license in India to permit all grades of license to use the amateur radio satellites. In India, holders of the Restricted grade of license (VU3 prefix) are not permitted to use amateur radio satellites or communicate with the International Space Station. (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information) + NASA's Perseverance rover is getting ready to launch to Mars in July, and it'll carry some very special messages with it. We already knew about the 11 million names and the statement "explore as one" writ- ten in Morse code. NASA revealed last week it'll also take a tribute to health care workers all the way to the red planet. The Persever- ance team installed a small aluminum plate showing Earth on top of a serpent-wrapped rod, a nod to the ancient Rod of Asclepius symbol for medicine. NASA said the plaque commemorates the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic and pays tribute to the perseverance of health care work- ers around the world. (ANS thanks cnet.com for the above information) + NASA has agreed to allow its astronauts to fly on reused Crew Dragon spaceships and Falcon 9 boosters beginning as soon as SpaceX?s third launch of a crew to the International Space Station, a mission expec- ted to launch next year. The space agency has modified its contract with SpaceX to permit reuse of spacecraft and rocket hardware. NASA had not previously approved the use of previously-flown spacecraft and rockets on missions carrying the agency?s astronauts into orbit. NASA said the contract modification allows for the extension of the Crew Dragon?s Demo-2 test flight ? which launched May 30 with astro- nauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken, KE5GGX ? from two weeks to up to 119 days. (ANS thanks SpaceflightNOW for the above information) + NASA announced this week that it will rename its Washington headquar- ters after its first black female engineer, Mary Jackson, whose story was told in the hit film "Hidden Figures." Jackson was a research mathematician who was later promoted to become the agency's first black female engineer. The move by NASA comes as weeks of protests in the United States have sparked a national reckoning about systemic racism and racial inequality. (ANS thanks Space Daily for the above information) + Congratulations to Drew Blasbrenner, KO4MA, who has been awarded the first AMSAT issued GridMaster Award (#11)! The GridMaster award is available to all amateurs worldwide who submit proof with confirma- tion of contacts with each of the 488 maidenhead grids located within the contiguous United States of America. Contacts must be confirmed in writing, preferably in the form of QSL cards or via Logbook of the World (LoTW). This award was first introduced by Star Comm Group in 2014. AMSAT thanks Damon Runion, WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, for not only sponsoring this award since its inception, but, also, entrusting AMSAT with the honor of carrying on this important award for the benefit of the entire AMSAT community. (ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director, Contests & Awards, for the above infor- mation) + The San Diego Microwave Group will hold a Zoom meeting this Monday, June 29 at 7 p.m. U.S. Pacific Time (0200 UTC on June 30) with a pre- sentation by Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, concerning challenges of plac- ing an amateur microwave payload in space. Microwave on the ISS was raised as a possibility this past week from the ARISS/AREx hardware summit meetings. The San Diego Microwave Group meeting is a regular technical roundtable on amateur microwave activities, questions, op- erations, and experiments. Join Zoom Meeting ID: 819 2711 2936 using Password: 487697. (ANS thanks AMSAT Board Member Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, for the above information). + Congrats to Joe Werth, KE9AJ, and Burt Demarcq, FG8OJ, for setting a new distance record on XW-2B on June 20. This was also the longest QSO recorded on any of the XW-2 series of satellites. FG8OJ located at FK96ig17, to KE9AJ at DM79IQ47 is 4,978 km. (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, AMSAT Executive Vice-President, for the above information) --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org From n8hm at arrl.net Sat Jul 4 16:44:54 2020 From: n8hm at arrl.net (Paul Stoetzer) Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2020 12:44:54 -0400 Subject: [ans] ANS-186 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin - AMSAT Responds to Allegations of Unauthorized Legal Expenses Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE SPECIAL BULLETIN ANS-186 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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. 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. You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * AMSAT Responds to Allegations of Unauthorized Legal Expenses SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-186 ANS-186 AMSAT News Service Special Bulletin AMSAT News Service Bulletin 186.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE July 4, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-186.01 AMSAT Responds to Allegations of Unauthorized Legal Expenses The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) has been made aware of public comments alleging financial mismanagement in the form of ?unauthorized? legal expenditures. AMSAT takes these allegations very seriously and in full disclosure, has investigated these claims for many months. AMSAT?s corporate records give a full accounting of all expenditures and are provided to its Directors upon request, in compliance with our governing documents and law of the District of Columbia (D.C.) Our office remains closed due to COVID-19, where those documents reside. Furthermore, AMSAT complies with IRS rules for 501(c)(3) disclosure of public financial documents, such as the Form 990 available on the AMSAT website. Financial review and accounting services from a third- party firm of Certified Public Accountants are utilized by the corporation to ensure governance to best practice and law. The Corporation vehemently denies false statements alleging ?unauthorized? expenditures. On behalf of AMSAT, Clayton Coleman, W5PFG President [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above information] /EX 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 addi- tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73 and Remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space, This week's ANS Contributing Editor, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM n8hm at amsat dot org From k0jm.mark at gmail.com Sun Jul 5 00:00:00 2020 From: k0jm.mark at gmail.com (Mark Johns, K0JM) Date: Sat, 4 Jul 2020 19:00:00 -0500 Subject: [ans] ANS-187 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-187 The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation 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 commun- icating 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 You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans In this edition: * Successful Launch of BY70-2 With FM-to-Codec2 Transponder * AMSAT Responds to Allegations of Unauthorized Legal Expenses * New Satellite Distance Records Set * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for July 2020 * Virginia Air and Space Center Discontinues KE4ZXW Demo Station * AMSAT 2020 Board of Directors Election Upcoming * CAS-6 Becomes TO-108, Added to AMSAT TLE Distribution * San Diego Microwave Group Discusses ARISS Possibilities * ARISS News * Upcoming Satellite Operations * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-187.01 ANS-187 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 187.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2020 July 05 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-187.01 Successful Launch of BY70-2 With FM-to-Codec2 Transponder Wei Mingchaun, BG2BHC, reports on Twitter that BY70-2 was launched on July 3 at 03:10z from Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center on a CZ-4B launch vehicle. BY70-2 will serve as a replacement for BY70-1, a 2U CubeSat which launched on December 26, 2016. Due to a booster failure, BY70-1 was placed in an elliptical orbit with a low perigee and the satel- lite's orbit decayed in February 2017. Unlike BY70-1, which carried an FM transponder, BY70-2 carries an FM-to-Codec2 transponder similar to the ones on board LO-90 and Taurus-1. More information about working this type of transponder can be found in an article entitled "Digital Voice on Amateur Satellites: Experiences with LilacSat-OSCAR 90" by Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, in the January/February 2019 issue of The AMSAT Journal. The article can also be found on the AMSAT website at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-166-BY70-2. BY70-2 is in a sun-synchronous orbit with an altitude of approximately 500 km. As a replacement, the satellite is sharing BY70-1's IARU coord- ination and ITU API notification. The uplink frequency is 145.920 MHz and the downlink frequency is 436.200 MHz. [ANS thanks Wei Mingchaun, BG2BHC, for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office is closed until further notice. For details, please visit https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT Responds to Allegations of Unauthorized Legal Expenses The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) has been made aware of public comments alleging financial mismanagement in the form of ?unauthorized? legal expenditures. AMSAT takes these allegations very seriously and in full disclosure, has investigated these claims for many months. AMSAT?s corporate records give a full accounting of all expenditures and are provided to its Directors upon request, in compliance with our governing documents and law of the District of Columbia (D.C.) Our office remains closed due to COVID-19, where those documents reside. Furthermore, AMSAT complies with IRS rules for 501(c)(3) disclosure of public financial documents, such as the Form 990 available on the AMSAT website. Financial review and accounting services from a third- party firm of Certified Public Accountants are utilized by the corporation to ensure governance to best practice and law. The Corporation vehemently denies false statements alleging ?unauthorized? expenditures. On behalf of AMSAT, Clayton Coleman, W5PFG President [ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- New Satellite Distance Records Set Two new distance records have been established in the past week! New records are added regularly to the AMSAT Satellite Distance Records page: https://amsat.org/satellite-dist J?r?me LeCuyer, F4DXV, and Vladimir Vassiljev, R9LR, have claimed the distance record on TO-108 (CAS-6) with a 4,458 km QSO on 28-Jun-2020 at 10:11 UTC between JN04ft91dd in France and MO27qf72nd in Russia. Congratulations to J?r?me and Vladimir! Also, congratulations to Alain Combelles, TR8CA, and Philippe Chateau, EA4NF, for a new AMSAT distance record on the CAS-4A Satellite on 27-Jun-2020 at 13:30 UTC. The contact was completed between IN80fl in Spain and JJ40ql in Gabon. These are the latest in a series of new records set over the past few months, including: EO-88 ? 4,086 km. F4DXV in JN04iu <> VO1FOG in GN37in. 02-Apr-2020 at 23:20 UTC. PO-101 (FM) ? 5,128 km. EA4SG in IN80cp77em<> R9LR in MO27qf72nd. 06-May-2020 at 23:03 UTC. RS-44 ? 8,357 km. W5CBF in EM30jf35qi <> DL4EA in JN48ko94cw. 26-May-2020 AO-92 (L/V) ? 4,202 km. OA4/XQ3SA in FH17lv <> XE1MEX in EK08mu. 03-Jun-2020 at 04:07 UTC. AO-27 ? 5,682 km. E21EJC in OK03fp <> R9LR in MO27qf. 09-Jun-2020 at 23:45 UTC XW-2B ? 4,978 km. KE9AJ in DM79iq47 <> FG8OJ in FK96ig17. 20-Jun-2020 at 11:14 UTC. Congratulations to all of these operators for their patience and their operating skill. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice-President, 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/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ VUCC Awards-Endorsements for July 2020 Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period June 1, 2020 through July 1, 2020. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL June July N0JE 637 652 WD9EWK (DM43) 600 612 NS3L 551 575 KI7UNJ 510 527 AD0HJ 425 450 KE8FZT 400 428 AA4QE 305 408 K5IX 375 402 ND0C 346 377 KC9UQR 275 301 WA9JBQ 275 300 N4YHC 250 270 W4DTA 261 263 KA9P 212 259 KS1G 170 233 KE0WPA 200 229 VU2LBW 114 200 N3CAL 100 160 K7TEJ 102 126 N7ZO New 116 AC9O New 108 DJ3GZ New 108 WD9EWK (DM45) 100 106 K3HPA New 102 WA9WUD New 102 KI5HHK New 101 N8URE New 101 KD9NGV New 100 KP4RV New 100 W8LR New 100 If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at W5RKN [at] W5RKN.com and I'll revise the announcement. This list was develop- ed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It's a vis- ual 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Virginia Air and Space Center Discontinues KE4ZXW Demo Station The Virginia Air and Space Center in Hampton,Virginia has ended its twenty-five year relationship with the KE4ZXW Amateur Radio Demonstra- tion Station. Robert Griesmer, Executive Director and CEO of the Vir- ginia Air and Space Center has directed that the KE4ZXW Amateur Radio Demonstration Station located at the Virginia Air and Space Center (VASC) be disassembled and removed from the Center by June 30. In his June 5,2020, update Mr. Griesmer advised the following to the KE4ZXW group : ?I am writing to you to inform you that, after careful consideration, we have decided to discontinue the Ham Radio Station Ex- hibit effective July 1st upon the re-opening of the Center.? Randy Grigg, WB4KZI, president of the Amateur Radio group, thanked the volun- teers who have supported and operated the station for the last 25 years. The station has spent the last quarter of a century demonstrating the use of Amateur Radio, its applications as a STEM Activity, communica- tions skills and communications through amateur satellites to school groups. The station also made contacts to the International Space Sta- tion. The KE4ZXW Amateur Radio station's equipment has found a new home with K4KDJ, the Virginia Tech Amateur Radio Association in Blacksburg, Va. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT 2020 Board of Directors Election Upcoming The nomination period for this year's AMSAT Board of Directors election ended June 15. The following candidates have been found to have their membership in good standing and their nomination credentials in order: Howard DeFelice, AB2S Mark Hammond, N8MH Jeff Johns, WE4B Robert McGwier, N4HY Bruce Paige, KK5DO Paul Stoetzer, N8HM This year, AMSAT will be electing three voting members of the Board of Directors. These will go to the three candidates receiving the highest number of votes. In addition, there will be two alternates chosen, based on the next highest number of votes received. Further details regarding the mechanics of the election will appear in ANS in the near future. Ballots will be mailed to the AMSAT membership by July 15th based on a membership list that will be generated as early as July 1. Members are encouraged to use the AMSAT Membership Portal at launch.amsat.org to verify that their membership is in good standing and their mailing address is correct. [ANS thanks Brennan Price, N4QX, AMSAT Secretary, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- CAS-6 Becomes TO-108, Confusion Ensues At the request of CAMSAT and the CAS-6 team, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations & OSCAR Number Administrator announced last week that CAS-6 (TQ-1) would receive the official designation of TQ-OSCAR 108 (TO-108). Since that designation, TO-108 was added to the AMSAT Live OSCAR Satel- lite Status Page at https://www.amsat.org/status/ However, an entry for CAS-6 also remains on that page. Further, AMSAT TLE distributions continue to list the satellite as CAS-6 (NORAD Cat ID 44881). Operators should be aware that the designations CAS-6 and TO-108 both refer to the same satellite, and should be on the lookout for changes in the naming on websites and in TLE distribution sets. It many take a week or two before consistent naming filters through all systems. Frequencies for the intended radio amatuer mission are: ? CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910 MHz ? AX.25 4.8kbps GMSK Telemetry: 145.890 MHz ? U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925 MHz, 20 kHz bandwidth ? U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280 MHz, Inverted Operator reports indicate that the transponder is active only for brief intervals of about 2 seconds, spaced approximately 5 seconds apart. With patience, and quick transmissions, QSOs have been completed. [ANS thanks Mark Johns, K0JM, 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 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ San Diego Microwave Group Discusses ARISS Possibilities Participants in the San Diego Microwave Group's (SDMG) 29 June 2020 Zoom meetup discussed the possibility of the AREx broadband digital microwave design being potentially deployed on the International Space Station (ISS). Since the project has focused heavily on high earth orbit, geostation- ary orbit, and the lunar opportunity with Gateway, the challenges of low earth orbit (ISS) now need to be addressed. This will be an ongoing process. Here's what participants recommended at SDMG: Since there are LEO constellations up to and including Ka band, the tracking and doppler have been done. It's just a question of learning the requirements, design patterns, limitations, and techniques. Since the project already incorporates the near-space communications recommendations from Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems (CCSDS), little has to be done in that regard. HamTV on ISS is at 2.4 GHz, which while lower than the projected 5 GHz and 10 GHz, has all the other aspects of broadband digital. There is plenty to be learned from those experiments, and meetings are being set up to begin to collaborate with the principals of HamTV on deeply appreciated advice & next steps. There was strong advice to eliminate antenna pointing. Use of an anten- na system in space and on the ground that does not require tracking would dramatically increase adoption. With Adaptive Coding and Modula- tion, all sorts of systems can be accommodated. However, a ground sta- tion that does track can use a directional antenna with a lot more gain, and get a much higher bitrate, while a station with a 120 degree field of view would get a lower bitrate, but would not have to track at LEO. This needs thorough link budgeting. There are several link budgets in Jupyter Notebook in progress at https://github.com/phase4space/payload-dmt Others interested in help- ing here are most welcome. Testing for human rated spacecraft incurs a substantial increase in engineering, paperwork, and time requirements. Putting the equipment outside instead of inside does not eliminate the testing requirements. This is going to require advice/direction from ARISS. Space heritage of this type, where equipment is an external payload only requiring power, makes hosted payload options easier to negotiate. There are 5-6 GEO missions going up in the next 3 years that could be targeted. Doppler is a factor here, and SDMG participants received strong recom- mendations about talking with particular ARISS team members with exper- ience. SDMG will be learning from and incorporating their advice in the very near future. [ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV, Member of the AMSAT Board of Directors, for the above report] -------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 and events: Don Bosco Haacht Technisch en Beroepsonderwijs, Haacht, Belgium, Multi-point telebridge via AB1OC. (A multi-point telebridge contact means that each student will be on the telebridge from their own home.) The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS, and the scheduled astronaut is Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR. The contact is go for Friday, July 10 at 10:49:51 UTC (27 degrees maximum elevation). ARISS is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute cancella- tions or postponements of school contacts. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team men- tors 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 Quick Hits: Email from @KS1G: K2B (VA, me) and K2F (MD) are both on sats for the 13 Colonies event through Tuesday evening. K2F told me K2A (NY) is also on. He will also post schedules to twitter!!! DN08, 7/4 & 7/5, @KC7JPC, John is heading out roving. Yippeeeeee!!!! DN18 / DN28, 7/11: KI7UXT and KC7JPC EM57 & EM67 (Saturday 7/11 & 7/12) N4DCW may also stop in EM58, passes posted on his QRZ page. FN45 & FN46, VE2FUA, 7/12 & 7/13: Chris is heading out to a little known (to rovers at least) called Maine. Might want to get him while he is there. FM13 & FM03, 7/12 & 7/13, WZ4M is heading out Holiday Style <- Updated Grids EN20/30 Line, July 28-31, @KX9X : Sean is moving quickly towards his VUCC/R award by heading out again for two more grids. Watch his Twitter for details. Major Roves: @KM4LAO is heading out on 7/3 ? 7/9 through Texas, Colorado and Kansas. FMs for sure and maybe linears. The tentative schedule is as follows: 7/3 (evening) ? 7/4: DM95 7/5: DM86/96 gridline and possibly DM85/95 line as well 7/6: DM87/88 or DM97/98 gridline based on family schedule 7/6-7/9: DM87 Details will be posted on Twitter @KM4Ruth @N5BO is heading out into the Murder Hornet territory: EM43/44 on 7/3 Starting at 15:05 EM53/54 on 7/4 Starting at 14:54 EM52 on 7/5 Starting at 16:37 Click here for pass scheduled and frequencies @WY7AA is heading out again!!! Starting July 13th DN63 (Some Day passes) DN64 fir a few days of fly fishing then DN55 ? DN68, and getting home on July 31st?. ** Postponed ** DL88: Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX. As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn?t get to the grid, so never ones to quit, off they go again. Today the tentative date is Monday July 6th, 2020. They will be using the K5Z call sign. More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page. Please submit any additions or corrections to Ke0pbr (at) gmail.com [ANS thanks Paul Overnfor, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events. Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon. Current schedule: * Shelby NC Hamfest (Contact N4HF for info or if you want to help.) Phil Jenkins, N4HF, is planning to present a forum ? and set-up/man an info table ? at the Shelby NC Hamfest Friday/Saturday Sept 4 & 5. (the ?fest runs Sept 4-6, but he?ll probably only be there Friday and Saturday). Demos possible if additional volunteers step up. A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout. To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + There has been further work on trying FT8 for EME, this time on 1296. It turns out that, contrary to the original news item, the Doppler spread on the lower bands is not an issue, since the energy distribu- tion of the EME signal is mainly concentrated in a much narrower spectrum than the maximum total Doppler spread. This means that it can work probably with little degradation on bands up to and includ- ing 1296, under most circumstances. For a writeup of this work please see http://bobatkins.com/radio/FT8_EME_1296.html (ANS thanks Charles Suckling, G3WDG, via Southgate ARC, for the above information) + Two ISS astronauts, including newly-arrived Bob Behnken, KE5GGX, per- formed a spacewalk to replace batteries on the outside of the station (and dropped a handheld mirror which promptly became the newest piece of space debris). (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above infor- mation) + Hackster recently featured a nice little project using a Raspberry Pi to display the current location of the International Space Station (ISS) and its trajectory over time, using an ePaper Display, Proto- Stax Enclosure and some Python code. See https://bit.ly/2Ao9HVa (ANS thanks to hackster.io and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information) + The Space Science Center at Morehead State University (Kentucky) is accepting applications for a full-time position as a Space Systems Engineer ? Software Engineer. For details and to apply, see: https://moreheadstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/9284 Please note: The preferred closing date has passed, but they are still accepting applications! (ANS thanks Morehead State and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information) + The Benchmark Space Systems team is excited to sponsor and present a complimentary ?Propulsion Systems 101? workshop Wednesday July 8 at 1:00 p.m. EST (1700z) The workshop will provide satellite integrators and constellation developers with a broad overview of propulsion technologies and their associated operational capabilities. Register at: https://www.lrainstitute.com/event_post/0720-propulsion-systems/ (ANS thanks Benchmark Space Systems and JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM, for the above information) + --------------------------------------------------------------------- /EX 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 addi- tional 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 stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 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 D. Johns, K0JM k0jm at amsat dot org