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[jamsat-news:3007] ANS-268 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins


AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-268

ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor@amsat.org

In this edition:

* Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey
* Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years
* AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011
* Symposium Reminders!
* Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award
* Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now
* AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students
* Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted
* Satellite Shorts From All Over


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.01
Invitation to Participate in the ARISSat-1/KEDR Operations Survey

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.01

Steven Bible, N7HPR says that the ARISSat-1 Team has put together a 
survey on ARISSat-1 operations. Please take a few minutes to answer 
the questions at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/arissat1-operation.  
The survey results will be posted to the Official ARISSat-1 website: 
http://www.arissat1.org. 

Meanwhile, Alan Biddle says the ARISSat-1/KEDR Team is still looking 
for entries in the Chicken Little Contest. This involves your prognos-
tications/calculations/guesses/darts-in-the-calendar submissions for 
when ARRISSat-1/KEDR makes its final orbit. We have a fair number of 
submissions from all over the world from adults, but very few from 
students. If you know of one who might be interested, encourage them 
to enter. The details are here: 
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/ARISSat/ARISSatContest

While it is not going to receive the coverage of UARS, the closest
submissions in each category will be recognized.  Right now, the 
deadline is the 15th of October, though since ARISSat-1 is "floating 
like a butterfly" that MIGHT get extended.

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.02
Frank Bauer, KA3HDO Retires From NASA After 36 Years

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.02
 
After an illustrious 36 year career with NASA, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, 
has retired from the agency.  
 
In his farewell note to his colleagues, Bauer said that for someone 
who dreamed about space exploration as a very young child and start-
ed at NASA when the Apollo program was in its twilight, it has been 
truly a pleasure to spend over 3 decades developing and operating 
systems as part of the NASA team. Bauer said that he has had what he 
called a phenomenal time contributing to countless Human and Robotic 
spacflight missions, flight tests, technology experiments, pioneering 
systems, studies, formulations and on-orbit operations activities as 
well as numerous agency-level, U.S. Government and international 
strategies and initiatives.  
 
In addition to his job with NASA, KA3HDO, had a parallel volunteer 
career as one of the leaders of the manned Amateur Radio in Space 
program. Among his many achievements was taking manned ham radio 
operations on-orbit from the now retired space shuttles under the 
SAREX operation over to the International Space Station and into 
the ARISS program.  
 
Bauer, who stepped down from ARISS and AMSAT  duties in March of 
2009,  had served as ARISS Program Leader and ARISS International 
Working Group Chair.  Since 1991, he had also held the title of 
AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs.
 
In May of 2009 Bauer was presented with the ARRL President's Award 
for his many contributions to ham radio's part of mans exploration 
of space.

[ANS thanks the Amateur Radio Newsline Report 1780 - September 23 2011
 for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.03
AO-51 to support 54th Jamboree On The Air October 15-16, 2011

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.03

The AO-51 Command Team is happy to announce support of the Scouting
Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) during the weekend Oct. 15-16, 2011. The
AO-51 satellite will remain in its current configuration, with an
understanding that contacts involving Scouts will be given first
priority during this period.

The current operating mode of AO-51 is as follows:

Uplink:   145.880 MHz FM (No PL tone)
Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM

The World Scouting Organization in Switzerland posted JOTA informa-
tion on their web: http://tinyurl.com/3rfp2cn (www.scout.org) and
http://scout.org/information_events/events/jota/the_54th_jota_2011

Also, visit the World Scouting Radio Library at: 
http://tinyurl.com/5sz7tf5 (www.scout.org)

The Boy Scouts of America has several resources on-line for amateur 
radio stations participating in JOTA: http://tinyurl.com/6d93qb7 
(Boy Scouts of America www.scouting.org)

[ANS thanks the Scouting Movement and AO-51 Command Team for the 
 above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.04
Symposium Reminders!

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.04

2011 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers Deadline Approaches
-----------------------------------------------------
Your papers for the 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium are due by October 1
for inclusion in the printed proceedings. Yes, that's just a couple
of weeks from now! Papers should be sent to Dan Schultz, N8FGV, at:
n8fgv@amsat.org.

Symposium Registration is Now Open
----------------------------------
The 2011 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held on Friday, November 4th 
through Sunday, November 6th in San Jose, CA. Our annual gathering 
will feature:

+ Space Symposium with Amateur Satellite Presentations
+ Operating Techniques, News, & Plans from the Amateur Satellite World
+ Board of Directors Meeting open to AMSAT members (Nov. 3-4)
+ Meet Board Members and Officers
+ Annual General Membership Meeting
+ Annual Banquet-Keynote Speaker and Door Prizes

The 2011 Symposium hotel and registration web pages are now available 
on the AMSAT web site. You may register for the Symposium and Annual
Banquet at the AMSAT Store:
http://www.amsat-na.com/store/SymposiumReg.php

Visit the Symposium and Annual General Meeting web page for details
and the latest information:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/index.php

Symposium Registration including a copy of the Proceedings is:
+ $50 per person starting September 20, 2011
+ $55 per person at the door

The Saturday evening banquet is $45 per person. The Sunday morning
Area Coordinator's Breakfast is $15 per person.

Hotel information for the Wyndham San Jose is posted at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/symposium/2011/Hotel.php

Martha at the AMSAT Office (Phone: 301-589-6062) is available to 
be of assistance with any hotel questions or problems with your
registration.

[ANS thanks the 2011 Symposium Committee for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.05
Portable Satellite Operations Qualify for Reverse-VUCC Award

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.05

The Central States VHF Society has updated their website to reflect 
applications for VUCC-r, Reverse VUCC.

This award is given to those who have operated via satellites in more 
than 100 grids away from their home grid. 

The rules require that applicants submit proof of contacts made from 
these away from home grids. So if you work someone signing "portable" 
(meaning they are operating away from home), please remember to in-
clude your grid as well as the grid they were operating from on your 
QSL. You can read all the details on-line at:
http://www.csvhfs.org/vuccdesc.html

There are now four operators who have achieved VUCC-r distinction:
N7SFI-200 grids, N5AFV-109 grids, ND9M-325 grids, and KD4ZGW-100 grids.

[ANS thanks John, K8YSE and CSVHFS for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.06
Mobile Satellite Operation From Island of Skye On-The-Air Now

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.06

Paul, 2E1EUB will be active on satellites as 2M1EUB, depending on the
weather, from the Island of Skye in western Scotland beginning on Sept-
ember 24 for one week. This will be from grid IO67vj.

During Paul's second week of mobile satellite operations he plans to
operate from the eastern side of Scotland.

Paul advises that mobile/portable internet coverage is spotty in these
locations but he will attempt access occasionally. He has posted more
informaion on his 2M1EUB information at http://www.qrz.com

[ANS thanks Paul, 2E1EUB for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.07
AMSAT Member N8MS in Newspaper Feature With Students

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.07

Matt Severin, N8MS, principal of Dowagiac Middle School in Michigan, 
took some of his students outside to track and listen to the satel-
lite ARISSat-1 on Tuesday, September 13. 

Two years earlier, Severin, then principal of Sister Lakes Elemen-
tary School, had a picture taken of the students and submitted it 
to be flown on ARISSat. 

On Tuesday, the students were able to track the satellite, listen to 
greetings in several languages and receive telemetry as well as SSTV 
(Slow Scan Television) images with a goal to promote STEM (Science, 
Technology, Engineering and Math). The Daily News posted a story on 
this activity: http://tinyurl.com/3z39yst (www.dowagiacnews.com)

Matt is also an instructor in the ARRL Teacher Institute and has
helped several other educators bring STEM education, based on ama-
teur radio and satellites, into their classroom.

Student submissions for ARISSat were stored on a memory chip that 
was attached to ARISSat-1 and are flying along with the craft as it 
orbits the Earth. The student projects and photos can all be viewed 
ARISS Europe web site at: http://www.ariss-eu.org/arissat-1.htm

[ANS thanks the ARISS Status Report and Carol, KB3LKI for the above
 information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.08
Special Event NW2C 911 Portable Satellite Station Video Posted

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.08

Pete, WB2OQQ operated a portable satellite station on September 11 
using the call NW2C, at Historic Fort Totten, located in Bayside New 
York, only a few miles from ground zero. Fort Totten was one of many 
placed used in recovery and healing during 911.

Pete operated all available FM satellite passes that day. For those 
that made a confirmed satellite contact and wish to receive a Certifi-
cate of Confirmation, visit: http://www.nw2c.org/911.html.

A video tribute is posted at: http://vimeo.com/29077529

[ANS thanks Pete, WB2OQQ for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-268.09
Satellite Shorts From All Over

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 268.09
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
September 25, 2011
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-268.09

+ Videos and slides from the Summer CubeSat Developers' Workshop, 
  held August 6-7 at the 25th Annual AIAA/USU Conference on Small 
  Satellites, are now available for download:
  http://tinyurl.com/3sgnrn3 (AMSAT-UK)

+ The well publicized re-entry of the UARS satellite may have al-
  ready occurred at press time. An interesting video simulation of
  the re-entry can be viewed at:
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5laK2JopaVE&feature=player_embedded

+ An interesting article about three recently declassified American 
  spy satellites can be read at:
  http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1109/19nrodeclassified/

+ The NASA Education Express Message for September 22, 2011 reports
  that registration is open for the Team America Rocketry Challenge 
  2012. This a national model rocket competition for U.S. students 
  in grades 7-12. Teams of three to 10 students are challenged to 
  design, build and fly a model rocket that will climb to 800 feet 
  with a payload of two raw eggs and stay aloft for 43 to 47 seconds. 
  The payload must then return to earth unbroken. Cash prizes are 
  awarded to the top finishers. NASA invites top teams to participate 
  in their Student Launch Initiative, an advanced rocketry program.
  Participation is limited to the first 1,000 teams who register by 
  November 30, 2011. For more information, visit: 
  http://www.rocketcontest.org/   

+ The dates for the next Hudson Valley Satcom nets are September 29, 
  October 13, and October 27 at 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time 
  (UTC - 4). You can tune in via the 146.970 MHz Mt. Beacon repeater, 
  PL 100.0 or via EchoLink on the N2EYH-L node. More info is available 
  at: http://www.hvsatcom.org (Stu, WA2BSS)

+ A new video from NASA's Dawn spacecraft takes you on a flyover jour-
  ney above the surface of the giant asteroid Vesta. The data obtained 
  by Dawn's framing camera, used to produce the visualizations, will 
  help scientists determine the processes that formed Vesta's striking 
  features. It will also help Dawn mission fans all over the world vis-
  ualize this mysterious world, which is the second most massive object 
  in the main asteroid belt. The video and article is posted at:
  http://tinyurl.com/3tn932m (science.nasa.gov)

+ NASA has made historic and interesting sounds and sound bites from 
  space missions available for download as ringtones or on your computer 
  for events, errors, alarms and  notifications. These are available
  in both MP3 and M4R (iPhone) files. To listen to and download the 
  sounds, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/connect/sounds 
  The NASA App for Android allows users to easily preview and set the 
  sounds as ringtones can be found at:
  https://market.android.com/details?id=gov.nasa   

+ Radio-Electronics.com provides concise guides, information, tutor-
  ials and data about radio frequency, RF, technology and RF design
  on their Radio Frequency, RF, Technology and Design pages at:
  http://www.radio-electronics.com/info/rf-technology-design

[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 additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. And with that,
please keep in mind the ham who discovered that a positive attitude may
not solve all his problems, but it certainly annoyed enough people to
make it worth his effort.

73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org

_______________________________________________
Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans