[jamsat-news:3506] [ans] ANS-112 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

[Peter Laws via ANS]

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-112

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://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 ＠ amsat.org

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
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In this edition:

* FCC votes to issue NPRM that proposes to streamline licensing of
"small satellites"
* D-STAR One Phoenix Declared Lost, More D-STAR cubesats planned
* AMSAT @ Hamvention - Get Your Questions Answered in our Beginner's Corner
* AMSAT @ Hamvention - Hamvention AMSAT Forum Speaker Line Up
* AMSAT @ Hamvention - Enjoy Dinner With Satellite Operators at Hamvention
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-112.01
ANS-112 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 112.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
April 22, 2018
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-112.01


FCC votes to issue NPRM that proposes to streamline licensing of
"small satellites"

On April 17th, the FCC began taking steps to streamline the
application process for a category of satellites known as “small
satellites”.  This action proposes a more accessible and flexible
authorization process for this fast-growing segment of the commercial
satellite communications market.   Many small satellites are launched
not as large constellations, but as part of small-scale operations
consisting of a single satellite or only a few satellites.  Small
satellite systems have been used for scientific and research missions,
and they are now increasingly used for commercial endeavors.

Given recent innovation in the small satellite sector and the
increasing number of proposals for commercial operation, the Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking adopted today proposes a new authorization process
within Part 25 of the Commission’s rules to govern satellite licensing
that is tailored to small satellite operations.  This new process will
address current needs in this evolving industry sector, as existing
Commission licensing rules and processes were not developed with these
types of systems in mind.

Specifically, the proposal would allow the new process to be used by
satellites with certain characteristics, such as having a short
on-orbit lifetime, being able to readily share spectrum with other
operations, and having a mission profile that demonstrates a low risk
of orbital debris.

Today’s action also looks at the spectrum needs of short duration
small satellites, including inviting comment on operations of small
satellites in certain frequency bands currently allocated for
satellite services.  The NPRM also considers revising the application
fee for small satellites applying under the new streamlined process.

It is unknown how or even if this NPRM (FCC-18-44) will affect the
amateur satellite service which is under Part 97 of the FCC's rules.
AMSAT-NA and other amateur radio advocacy organizations will be
following this closely.  More details are available at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-01


[From an FCC press release]

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D-STAR One Phoenix Declared Lost, More D-STAR cubesats planned

On April 19, German Orbital Systems announced on Twitter that their
D-STAR One Phoenix spacecraft was lost:

"Dear all, we're sorry to announce that #DSTAR One Phoenix mission was
lost. We are currently running the detailed examination regarding the
causes of loss. Sorry for the long delay with an answer - we did not
want to report unverified information.''


D-STAR One Phoenix, a U/u satellite using the JARL D-STAR digital
voice protocol, was launched on a Roskosmos Soyuz-2 on 2018-02-01.  It
replaced a similar spacecraft launched on a Roskosmos launcher in
November of 2017 that did not make it to orbit due to a problem with
the launcher.  On April 20, German Orbital Systems that they plan to
launch three more D-STAR-based cubesats by the end of the year:

``"The third is a good one" proverb says. Well, dear #radioamateur
community, we announce that new #DSTAR mission is planned for the end
of this year. And, to ensure, that it will be successful, we will
launch not one, but THREE D-Star #cubesats. Whole constellation for
you guys''


[ANS thanks German Orbital Systems Twitter/@GermanOrbital for the
above information]

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AMSAT @ Hamvention - Get Your Questions Answered in our Beginner's Corner


This year Hamvention 2018 runs May 18-20 at the Greene County Expo
Center in Xenia, Ohio. AMSAT has indoor display space in Booths
1007-1010, 1107-1110 - an entire aisle dedicated for Amateur Radio in
Space.

As AMSAT President, Joe Spier, K6WAO recently noted, "Hamvention is
amateur radio's premier gathering in North America. AMSAT's presence
is important because it not only provides a venue to interact with our
members and those interested in amateur radio satellites, but it also
provides an opportunity to engage those that may not currently be
active with satellites. Our mantra is "Keeping Amateur Radio In Space"
but we also need to be diligent about that mantra in front of
thousands of amateurs who attend Hamvention. Our Hamvention presence
builds awareness, generates revenue, and lays the foundation for
future support."

AMSAT will offer the latest materials at the booth this year,
including a 2018 edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites,
as well as the latest in "satellite fashions." We'll once again
provide a "Beginner's Corner" where we will answer questions about
amateur radio satellites and communications.

You'll see demonstrations of SatPC32 and MacDoppler satellite tracking
software, and get your operational questions answered.  Get one-on-one
guidance on setting up your satellite station and making contacts.

Amateur Satellite operation demonstrations will be held every day
outside the main Maxim Hall (Building 1 or E1) entrance. AMSAT will be
demonstrating actual contacts with the operational amateur satellites.
We especially invite youth to make a contact via an amateur satellite.
All are invited to observe, participate and ask questions. Satellite
pass times will be posted at the AMSAT booth and in the demo area.
This gives you the opportunity to get satellite station and operating
tips from some of the best satellite operators in the country!

[ANS thanks AMSAT's Hamvention 2018 Team for the above information]

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AMSAT @ Hamvention - AMSAT Announces Hamvention Forum Speaker Line Up


The AMSAT Forum at Hamvention 2018 will be held on Saturday, May 19 in
Forum room 4 from 1445-1545 EDT . The speaker and topic line up
includes:

+ Moderator: Keith Baker, KB1SF / VA3KSF

+ "AMSAT Status Report" by Joseph Spier, K6WAO, AMSAT-NA President,
who will highlight recent activities within AMSAT and discuss some of
our challenges, accomplishments, projects, and any late-breaking news.

+ "AMSAT Engineering Program" by Jerry Buxton, N0JY, AMSAT-NA Vice
President for Engineering, will talk about the Fox-1 and Golf (Greater
Orbit Larger Footprint) Projects.

+ "ARISS Report 2018" by Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT-NA Vice President
for Human Spaceflight will discus ARISS' "Next Generation ARISS Radio
System" on the International Space Station.


[ANS thanks Forum Moderator Keith baker, Keith Baker, KB1SF/VA3KSF for
the above information]

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AMSAT @ Hamvention - Enjoy Dinner With Satellite Operators at Hamvention

The annual AMSAT "Dinner at Tickets" party will be held Thursday at
1800 EDT at Tickets Pub & Eatery at 7 W. Main St, Fairborn, OH. Feast
on a great selection of Greek and American food and great company! No
program or speaker, just good conversation. Food can be ordered from
the menu, drinks (beer, wine, sodas and iced tea) are available at the
bar. Leave room for dessert, there's an in-house ice cream shop! Come
as you are. Bring some friends and have a great time the night before
Hamvention.

AMSAT @ Hamvention - AMSAT/TAPR Banquet

The twelfth annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler
Presidential Center on Friday at 1830 EDT. This dinner is always a
highlight of the AMSAT and TAPR activities during the Dayton
Hamvention. We are pleased to announce that entrepreneur and
electrical engineer Jeri Ellsworth, AI6TK, will be our speaker. Jeri
will present her innovative ideas and adventures in Amateur Radio.

Banquet seating is limited to the number of meals reserved with the
Kohler caterers based on the number of tickets sold by the deadline.

Tickets ($37 each) may be purchased from the AMSAT store:
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-B

The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Tuesday, May 15. Banquet
tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold at the AMSAT
booth. There will be no tickets to pick up at the AMSAT booth. Tickets
purchased on-line will be maintained on a list with check-in at the
door of the banquet center.


[ANS thanks AMSAT's Hamvention 2018 Team for the above news items]

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ARISS News


ARISS-US Program Education Proposal Deadline is April 30, 2018
[Webinars listed below have passed.  -Ed]


ARISS News Release    No. 18-03
Dave Jordan, AA4KN
ARISS PR
aa4kn ＠ amsat.org

International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students
ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is April 30, 2018.

March 15, 2018:  The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) program is seeking proposals from US schools, museums, science
centers and community youth organizations (working individually or
together) to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard
the International Space Station (ISS) between January 1 and June 30,
2019.

Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with
opportunities to learn about space technologies and communications
through the exploration of Amateur Radio. The program provides
learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the
International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA,
the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, the American Radio Relay
League, and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space
agencies. The program's goal is to inspire students to pursue
interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) and Amateur Radio. A ham recently said, "ARISS
shows how Amateur Radio is the most unique hobby/service there is."

Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the
ARISS program stimulates interest in STEM subjects and in STEM
careers. One educator wrote, "It exceeded our expectations--it created
a great interest in both amateur radio and in space exploration. Our
kids are completely inspired!" Ninety-two percent of educators who
have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided
ideas for encouraging student exploration and participation. An
educator even joined the ham ranks, saying, "This chance for our
school's ARISS contact helped me see the great value of the ham world.
I just passed my Technician License this weekend and have already
signed up to take a General class."

ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of
participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed, exciting
education plan. Students can learn about satellite communications,
wireless technology, science research conducted on the ISS, radio
science, and any related STEM subject. Students learn to use Amateur
Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related
questions. ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur
Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for students.

The proposal deadline for 2019 contacts is April 30, 2018. Proposal
webinars for guidance and getting questions answers will be offered
March 29, 2018, at 1900 EDT and April 16, 2018, at 1600 EDT. Advance
registration is necessary. To sign up, go to
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-C

For more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines and the
proposal form, visit: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-D

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]


Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of 2018-04-20 05:30 UTC

Quick list of scheduled contacts and events:

* Togliatti, Russia, direct via TBD
* ISS callsign scheduled to be RSØISS
* Scheduled astronaut is Oleg Artemyev

Contact is a go for Sat 2018-04-21 TBD UTC


* Artek, near Black Sea, direct via TBD
* ISS callsign scheduled to be RSØISS
* Scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov

Contact is a go for Tue 2018-04-24 11:05 UTC


* SSTV testing, Kursk, Russia, not considered a school contact, direct via TBD
* ISS callsign scheduled to be RSØISS
* Scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov

Contact is a go for Wed 2018-04-25 08:35 UTC


* Zespół Szkoły Podstawowej i Publicznego Gimnazjum w Buczku, Buczek,
Poland; I Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Tadeusza Kościuszki w Łasku,
Łask, Poland; and Zespół Szkół Ponadgimnazjalnych w Zelowie, Zelów,
Poland, direct via SP7KYL
* ISS callsign scheduled to be OR4ISS
* Scheduled astronaut is Ricky Arnold KE5DAU

Contact is a go for Thu 2018-04-26 10:52:33 UTC


Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8Ø MHz.  ARISS is always
glad to receive listener reports for the above contacts.  ARISS thanks
everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel free to send your
reports to aj9n ＠ amsat.org or aj9n ＠ aol.com.  All ARISS contacts are
made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted.

PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ARISS UPDATES:

Facebook: "Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)".

Twitter/@ARISS_status

Web: http://ariss.org/


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
Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the
Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS
is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering, and
mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur
radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms
or informal education venues. With the help of experienced amateur
radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with large audiences in a
variety of public forums.  Before and during these radio contacts,
students, teachers, parents, and communities learn about space, space
technologies, and amateur radio. For more information, see
www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org.

[ANS thanks ARISS / David AA4KN / Charlie Sufana AJ9N for the above information]

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Video clips of recent ARISS School Contacts

Ronny Risinger, KC5EES, Trustee of K5LBJ, the LASA High School Amateur
Radio Club facilitated a direct contact with the ISS at Salado (TX)
Intermediate School. Students and staff did a great job preparing, and
the event was awesome! Many thanks to ARISS and NASA for coordinating
such events.

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-E


Video of the Islip School Contact

https://tinyurl.com/ANS-112-F



[ANS thanks JoAnne K9JKM for the above information]

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“Horizons” is Next Mission for Astronaut Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO


European Space Agency Astronaut Alexander Gerst, KF5ONO, will visit
the International Space Station for the second time in early June. His
“Horizons” mission is aimed at evoking exploration of the universe,
looking far beyond Earth and broadening knowledge. His first mission
was called “Blue Dot.”

A citizen of Germany, Gerst will launch on June 6 from Kazakhstan with
US astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor and Russian cosmonaut Sergei
Prokopyev aboard a Soyuz MS-09 spacecraft. Gerst will take over
command of the ISS for the second half of his mission, marking only
the second time that a European astronaut will assume the top ISS
leadership post.

Gerst first served on the ISS in 2014 as part of the Expedition 41/42
crew increment. Gerst likely would use the ISS’s DP0ISS call sign for
any Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS)
activities.

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

* EJ89: Members of the TI DX Group will be active as TE6DX from Uvita
Island (IOTA NA-155, Loc: EJ89lx)  between June 7-11th, 2018.
Operators mentioned are Charlie/TI2CDA, Carlos/TI2CC, Kamal/N3KS and
possibly 2 or 3 others. Activity will be on 160-6 meters using CW,
SSB, FT8, RTTY, and FM Satellites. QSL via TI2CDA, ClubLog's OQRS or
LoTW. -- VIA Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1360

* EL84: NJ4Y, N4ESS, and KE4AL will be active as K4R from Fort
Jefferson on Garden Key, Dry Tortugas (IOTA NA-079, Loc: EL84np), July
6-8th, 2018, with 2 complete satellite stations with capabilities on
all current amateur satellites. Emphasis will be on the larger
footprints of AO-7 and FO-29, but the team will work as many passes as
possible during their time on the island. With two experienced
satellite operators, the team feels they have good chance of success
in getting EL84 in the logs of anyone who needs it.  This includes
Europe and South America - if you are in the outer reaches of the
footprint between EL84np and your location, let them know ahead of the
trip so they can plan some possible low elevation pass skeds. QSL via
LOTW, USPS. Twitter/@K4R_EL84, http://k4r2018.com/

* JN20:  Pedro, CU2ZG, will be in Frankfurt, Germany, JN20, from April
24-26, 2018.  FM and linear sats using short Moxon, KG-UV9D+, Yaesu
FT-817. Callsign will be DL/CU2ZG.  Expect evening passes only, on the
24th and 25th. -- VIA CU2ZG

* WMPLOTA 2018 takes place April 28 and April 29.  Walmart Parking
Lots on the Air is a special event and award scheme for amateur radio
satellite operators that encourages the practice of portable operation
in the ubiquitous and easily accessible location of Walmart parking
lots. Follow the event on Twitter/@WMPLOTA and at http://wmplota.org/

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


73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Peter Laws, N5UWY
n5uwy ＠ amsat.org
Rotating Editor for AMSAT News Service, AMSAT-NA

Have you donated to get your Fox-1 Challenge Coin Yet? See
http://www.amsat.org/?p=3275 for details!
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