[jamsat-news:3416] [ans] ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

[wao ＠ vfr.net]

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
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.

In this edition:

* AMSAT-NA and M2 Antenna Systems LEO-Pack Back in Stock in AMSAT Store
* New Distance Record Set for ISS Packet QSO
* QB50 Mission – Downlink Frequency Details
* AMSAT Events
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts from All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-036.01
ANS-036 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 036.01
 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE Febuary 5, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-036.01


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AMSAT-NA and M2 Antenna Systems LEO-Pack Back in Stock in AMSAT Store


AMSAT-NA and M2 Antenna Systems are pleased to announce that the LEO-Pack
system is being offered to members only at $499, shipping included (US 
only).
Non-members can join AMSAT-NA at time of purchase to participate in this
special purchase.

The LEO-Pack will then be drop shipped to the purchaser from M2, who 
estimates
that the production time after the order is received will be 2-3 weeks.

The 436CP16 and 2MCP8A are light weight, circularly polarized antennas
optimized for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite communications or other
applications where a small circular polarized antenna is required. Optimum
match and gain designed for the satellite band.

Rear mounted for easy coaxial cable routing. A preamp (not included) can be
mounted close to the antenna for almost no coax loss before the preamp,
maximizing your receive performance.

See all the details, including links to technical specifications at:

http://store.amsat.org/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=1&products_id=123


[ANS thanks the guys in the AMSAT On-Line Store for the above information]


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New Distance Record Set for ISS Packet QSO


Congratulations to Mark Pisani, KK6OTJ, and Jerry Rogers, W8LR, for
their February 1 APRS message packet QSO during an ISS pass. The
distance was 3,089 km, establishing a new distance record for the ISS
digipeater.


[ANS thanks Mark, KK6OTJ for the above information]


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QB50 Mission – Downlink Frequency Details


The first of the QB50 CubeSats that are destined for deployment from
the International Space Station are now awaiting their turn to be uplifted
to the ISS.

In addition to the ISS deployments it is planned that there will be two
further batches launched using other vehicles.

The exact timing of these events is not yet available but, in advance,
here is a fully updated list of all CubeSats involved. Also included
are the details of their science experiments and their downlink frequencies
and modulation modes. The frequencies have been coordinated by the IARU
Frequency Coordination team and, generally, all the spacecraft will use 9k6
data rates on 70cms.

Download the QB50 Frequency Excel Spreadsheet –
http://tinyurl.com/QB50-Frequencies-20170201


[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]


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AMSAT Events


Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around
the country.  Examples of these events are radio club meetings where
AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working
amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with
AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations,
forums, and/or demonstrations).

*Saturday, 4 February 2017 – Palm Springs Hamfest in Palm Springs CA

*Friday-Sunday, 10-12 February 2017   Orlando HamCation in Orlando, FL

*Friday and Saturday, 17-18 February 2017 – Yuma Hamfest in Yuma AZ

*Saturday, 18 March 2017 – Scottsdale SpringFest in Scottsdale AZ

*Friday through Sunday, 31 March–2 April 2017, NVCON in Las Vegas NV

*Wednesday, 5 April 2007 – presentation for Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club
in Scottsdale AZ

*Friday and Saturday, 7-8 April 2017, Green Country Hamfest in
Claremore OK

*Saturday, 6 May 2017 – Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest in
Sierra Vista AZ

*Friday and Saturday, 9-10 June 2017, HAM-COM in Irving TX

*Saturday, 10 June 2017 – Prescott Hamfest in Prescott AZ


[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]


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ARISS News


Successful Contacts

*  A telebridge contact with students at Cours Saint Maur, Monaco,
was successful Thu 2017-02-02.

*  A telebridge contact via ON4ISS with students at the South Street
School and Westside Middle School in Danbury CT, USA, was successful
Thu 2017-02-02.

*  A telebridge contact via W6SRJ with students at the Swiss Space
Center – École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne,  Lausanne,
Switzerland was successful Thu 2017-01-26.


Upcoming Contacts

*  A telebridge contact via K6DUE at the Space Exploration Educators
Conference, Houston, Texas, is scheduled for Thu 2017-02-09 20:30:10 UTC 21
deg. The scheduled astronaut is Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG.


The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
educational foundation offering extensive science education program and 
a space
museum. It is the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center 
and the
only Smithsonian Affiliate in the greater Houston area. Educational 
emphasis is
placed on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a 
fun and
engaging way. It uses space exploration to inspire wonder and interest in
science and math.

Space Center Houston offers a rich array of education programming for 
teachers
and students, providing extraordinary learning opportunities.
Inspiring young people to choose careers in STEM is one of the outcomes 
of our
program. Education programs are based on data-supported evidence of 
effective
learning and teaching methods.

This specific contact will be taking place during the Space Exploration
Educator Conference, which engages teachers from around the world for three
days of hands-on learning and exceptional keynote speakers. Students 
from the
Science Magnet Program at the Seabrook Intermediate School in Seabrook, 
Texas
will be participating in the Amateur Radio on the International Space 
Station
(ARISS) contact.

Seabrook Intermediate School is the leader in innovative education. Their
mission is to ensure that each individual explores and discovers unique
talents, passions, and abilities through a dynamic system distinguished by
limitless opportunities (including the Science Magnet Program) that foster
collaboration, creativity, intrinsic motivation, respect for diversity, and
citizenship to develop a productive role in society.

The Science Magnet Program at Seabrook Intermediate School is offered to
students in grades 6-8. The school provides a unique science curriculum 
for all
students while providing additional science electives and opportunities for
students enrolled in the Science Magnet Program.


*  A direct contact via K4PSA with students at the Palmetto Scholars 
Academy,
North Charleston, SC, is scheduled for Fri 2017-02-10 17:59:18 UTC 38 
deg. The
scheduled astronaut is Shane Kimbrough, KE5HOD.

Palmetto Scholars Academy is a public charter school, providing a gifted
curriculum to students in grades 6-12 in North Charleston, South Carolina. 6
years ago PSA opened in a converted day care center and was the lowest 
funded
school in America. It was started by a group of concerned parents who 
wanted to
meet the needs of gifted students. In those early days, board members 
took out
second mortgages to meet teacher payroll, and parents pulled together 
daily to
send in supplies. Despite challenges, PSA rose above the decrepitude and
started its tradition of achievement, earning their mascot name of Phoenix.

PSA is a student haven for gifted students. “It’s okay to be a nerd 
here” and
“It’s cool to be smart” illuminate the student culture at PSA.

To meet the intellectual needs of gifted students, PSA participates in many
challenges such as VEX Robotics, VEX IQ Robotics, FIRST Robotics 
Competition,
Ham Radio, Lowcountry Science Fair, Odyssey of the Mind, and the Student
Spaceflight Experiments Program (SSEP). PSA students have designed three
experiments through the SSEP. Two experiments reached the ISS and 
returned to
Earth, although the second experiment blew up on the Orb-3 and Falcon 9. The
third experiment launches next month. Students also send experiments via
PongSats, Cubes in Space, and student-launched high- altitude balloons.

PSA has a Ham Radio Club and their own vanity call sign, K4PSA. The club 
meets
every other Friday for 1 ½ hours and after schools on Friday. Since its
inception in 2015, the club has gotten 6 students licensed for ham radio.
These students will be the student liaisons and leaders for this ham radio
contact.

PSA has established itself as a distinguished charter school in South
Carolina. With a new building, better funding, and culture of 
achievement, PSA
rises from the ashes like the Phoenix and challenges its students to 
reach the
stars.



Watch
http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html
for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled.


[ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information]


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Satellite Shorts From All Over


Space Launch System Video Series -- "No Small Steps"

The challenge of going to Mars is monumental, and it's going to take a
monumental rocket to make it possible. NASA's Space Launch System will be
the most powerful rocket ever built and will help send humans to deep space
destinations. SLS is an advanced, heavy-lift launch vehicle that will
provide an entirely new capability for science and human exploration beyond
Earth's orbit.

Learn more about the Space Launch System with the "No Small Steps" video
series. Hosted by Stephen Granade, the entertaining and informative series
gets into the "how" of making a trip to Mars happen -- taking rocket science
and making it relatable.

Episode 1: "Getting to Mars"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOYXa9jx-TI

Episode 2: "A Foundation for Mars"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DesBgDPR22Q

Episode 3: "Rocket Fuel"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJXQQv9UZNg

Episode 4: "Working With Gravity"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wlcFU1Le4U

[ANS thanks NASA Education Express Message -- Feb. 2, 2017 for the above
information]


DC Area Free Amateur Radio Technician License Class starting
Sunday, March 26, 2017

The Montgomery Amateur Radio Club is offering a free amateur radio
Technician license class at the Rockville Memorial Library for six
Sundays on March 26, April 2, April 9, April 23, April 30, May 7, 2017
from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM.  More information about this class is at

http://www.marcclub.org/mweb/education/classes/index.html

We will be meeting at the
Studio i Makerspace
Rockville Memorial Library, second floor
21 Maryland Ave
Rockville, MD 20850

Maps & Directions
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=21+Maryland+Ave
+Rockville+MD+20850+United+States

This is a great opportunity for you to get your amateur radio license.  To
learn more about amateur radio, also known as ham radio, go to
http://www.arrl.org/what-is-ham-radio

or watch the Discovering Amateur Radio video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcfJUjcSEz8

You can register for this free class by sending an email to
education ＠ marcclub.org

[ANS thanks David Bern, W2LNX, MARC Education committee
for the above information]


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/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,
This week's ANS Editor,
Joe Spier, K6WAO
k6wao at amsat dot org


-- 
-73
k6wao
Joe Spier
k6wao ＠ amsat.net
AMSAT Vice President, Educational Relations
AMSAT News Service Co-Editor

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