From ans ＠ amsat.org Sun Jan 6 09:02:46 2019 From: ans ＠ amsat.org (JoAnne K9JKM via ANS) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2019 18:02:46 -0600 Subject: [jamsat-news:3583] [ans] ANS-0ulletins Message-ID: <66f90b8f-feb5-cc42-7910-c96f334afefb@comcast.net> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-006 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: * Recurring Donations Feature Added to AMSAT.org * D-STAR ONE Launched, Telemetry Received * Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring W6RO Satellite Operation * PW-Sat2 Deorbit Sail Deployment - On-Board Camera Footage * JAMSAT NEXUS V/U Mode-J CubeSat Scheduled to Launch January 17 * Australian National Scout Jamboree - AJ2019 * DL50AMSAT Callsign IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 2018 * AMSAT South Africa Dual-Band VHF/UHF Yagi * Upcoming Satellite Operations * AMSAT at Thunderbird Hamfest in Glendale AZ, 12 January 2019 * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-006.01 ANS-006 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 006.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 6, 2019 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-006.01 Recurring Donations Feature Added to AMSAT.org Would you like to donate to AMSAT and/or ARISS but can only afford a little at a time? Even small amounts help, especially as they add up over time! You can now use AMSAT’s recurring donations on the new donation portal at https://www.amsat.org/donations/ This is a great way for everyone to donate $5-10 a month over time to make a significant contribution. Thank you for helping keep amateur radio in space. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- D-STAR ONE Launched, Telemetry Received German Orbital Systems reports a successful telemetry downlink has been received. Their web page http://www.d-star.one/ reports D-Star ONE Sparrow and D-Star ONE iSat were successfully launched on Dec- ember 27 as part of an ECM smallsat cluster on the Soyuz-2/Fregat from Russia's Vostochny launch site. Additional details can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE During the first orbits, beacons were received in the US, Germany, Czech Republic and Belarus, confirming the successful separations of the satellites on their target orbit 585 km, 97.73 deg, SSO. D-Star ONE Sparrow and D-Star ONE iSat are a pair of 3U cubesats which are equipped with four identical radio modules with D-Star capabilities, all being operated in a half-duplex mode. At press time DSTAR One Sparrow was planned to be used for amateur radio. DK3WN received the first telemetry on December 29, 2018 with more signals received by Scott, K4KDR and Vladimir, EU1SAT. Check the German Orbital Systems web page for LEOP status and satellite availability for contacts. D-Star ONE Sparrow operates as a half duplex repeater: Callsign:? DP1GOS Uplink:??? 437.325 MHz Downlink:? 435.525 MHz RF-Power: 800-1200 mW Telemetry: 435.700 MHz 4k8 GMSK Mobitex (CMX990 Mobitex Format) The telemetry format is documented at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE-Telemetry A telemetry decoder is available at: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?page_id=29535 Technical details for radio amateurs is posted at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE-Amateur A D-Star voice message beacon transmits once a minute. All mod- ules are operated in a power save mode. This means that they are in idle for 40 seconds and then in receive mode for 20 seconds. Once a signal has been received, the modules switch to receive mode for five minutes. So it might be necessary to "ping" the satellite a couple of times until an answer is received. Object #43879 continues to be a likely fit for tracking at present. [ANS thanks German Orbital Systems for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring W6RO Satellite Operation If you missed the January 3 Ham Talk Live show featuring Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, Endaf Buckley, N6UTC, and David Akins, N6HHR, discussing amateur radio and satellite operation on the RMS Queen Mary you can play back a recording of this episode at: https://www.spreaker.com/show/ham-talk-live then select Episode 147 - Aboard the Queen Mary, W6RO. Patrick and Endaf recently made a trip to the ship to do satel- lite operations, so they will report on that special event. David will fill us in on the history of the ship's radio room and the routine amateur radio operations from W6RO. Ham Talk Live is also available as a podcast on nearly all podcast sites: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, SoundCloud, and iHeart Podcasts; and it's also available on YouTube. [ANS thanks Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, and Ham Talk Live for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- PW-Sat2 Deorbit Sail Deployment - On-Board Camera Footage PW-Sat2, the second Polish student satellite, also launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 SSO-A flight with AMSAT Fox-1Cliff, is a student project with the goal to test a new deorbit sail. The sail was deployed on December 29, 2018. On-Board camera footage of the event can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fbMzI9w4MM Amateur radio operators are invited to take part in this mission. Dashboard software to receive, decode and upload PW-Sat2 frames to the PW-Sat2 cloud is available on their website: https://radio.pw-sat.pl/ The team has posted additional information at: https://github.com/PW-Sat2/HAMRadio/wiki PW-Sat2 transmits on 435.275 MHz using 1k2 and 9k6 BPSK AX25. [ANS thanks the PW-Sat2 team for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ???????? For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members ??????????????? will receive a free digital copy of ????????????? "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" ??????????? Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at ?????? https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ JAMSAT NEXUS V/U Mode-J CubeSat Scheduled to Launch January 17 The Japan AMSAT Association (JAMSAT) and students at the Nippon University are jointly developing a CubeSat called NEXUS which will have a 145 to 435 MHz (Mode-J) transponder and a 38 kbps data downlink. Nippon University students have previously developed the SEEDS and SPROUT satellites. NEXUS is an acronym of “Next Education X (cross) Unique Satellite”, it will be 1U CubeSat with a mass of between 1 and 1.5 kg. The NEXUS cubesat will: + Provide amateur radio communications via the 145/435 MHz ? transponder and SSTV + Download pictures from the 640×480 pixel camera + Operate the data downlink at 38400 bps QPSK + Compare the performance of the data downlink when using AFSK, ? GMSK and QPSK modes NEXUS will be launched from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center located in Kagoshima Prefecture on January 17, 2019 (JST) aboard an Epsilon rocket together with OrigamiSat-1 and AOBA-Velox-IV into a 500 km sun sync- hronous orbit. Linear transponder ------------------ Uplink:?? 145.900-145.930 MHz (CW/LSB) Downlink: 435.880-435.910 MHz (CW/USB) CW/Data:? 435.900 MHz & 437.075 MHz Callsign: JS1YAV Separation from the rocket is planned for T + 4100 seconds after launch at which time NEXUS will be powered on. CW telemetry infor- mation will commence transmission 16 minutes, 40 seconds following power up. The NEXUS team has posted a PDF document in English describing the planned initial operations, telemetry format, and preliminary TLEs at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-Nexus-Initial-Ops NEXUS website in Google English http://tinyurl.com/NEXUS-Satellite NEXUS Blog http://tinyurl.com/NEXUS-Sat-Blog JAMSAT in Google English http://tinyurl.com/JAMSAT Read the AMSAT-UK posting at: https://amsat-uk.org/2014/08/24/nexus-cubesat-mode-j-transponder/ [ANS thanks JAMSAT and Nippon University for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Australian National Scout Jamboree - AJ2019 Between January 4-14, 2019, 8400 Scouts from every Australian state plus representatives from 18 nations will converge in Tailem Bend in South Australia to participate in the 25th Australian Scout Jamboree - AJ2019. Their special event station will be active using VI25AJ. The special event station is expecting to showcase Amateur Radio to approximately 2000 scouts over the duration of the Jamboree. They will be active on the satellites as well as HF bands (SSB and digital modes), IRLP and EchoLink. They are looking for amateurs to give them a call during the Jamboree to help give the scouts an amazing experience - and perhaps take up the hobby on their return home. Full schedule, modes and planned frequencies will be posted at: https://www.qrz.com/db/vi25aj [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ??? AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign ??? to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades ??? on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to ??? continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. ???? We have reached a great milestone with $16,795 raised ??? or about 10% towards our goal. This would not have been ???????? possible without your outstanding generosity!! ????????? For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit: ???? https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ DL50AMSAT Callsign IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 The IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 will feature the new AMSAT-DL callsign DL50AMSAT on the air from Saxony on the Czech border. Also planned are antenna construction and testing projects and testing satellite tracking programs on a variety of operating systems. IG HamSpirit hosts several radio events during the year with this event dedicated to amateur satellite operating. AMSAT-DL says you can track the event on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #satelliteweekend [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 2018 Ron, W5RKN has provided the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period December 1, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL??????? 01Dec?? 01Jan KO4MA?????? 1627??? 1656 WC7V??????? 1159??? 1160 W5RKN??????? 634???? 660 WD9EWK?????? 513???? 525 NS3L???????? 350???? 375 PV8DX??????? 313???? 360 AE5B???????? 300???? 342 N3GS???????? 300???? 332 K8BL???????? 252???? 257 PT9BM??????? 176???? 203 AD0HJ??????? 175???? 200 KK4YEL?????? 102???? 200 N7AGF??????? 175???? 200 K9UO???????? 150???? 175 AD0DX??????? 101???? 167 W4AQT??????? 125???? 153 PU8RFL?????? 134???? 146 PS8MT??????? 130???? 145 PU8MRS?????? 100???? 127 LW2DAF?????? 110???? 115 WD9EWK(DM23) New???? 104 F6GLJ??????? New???? 103 WI4T???????? New???? 101 AI9IN??????? New???? 100 If you find errors or omissions please contact Ron off-list at @.com and he'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for December 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019. It's a visual comparison so omissions are pos- sible. 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT South Africa Dual-Band VHF/UHF Yagi News from South Africa announces AMSAT SA is offering a dual-band VHF/UHF antenna. AMSAT SA is indebted to Dr Gary Immelman ZS6YI who has donated 200 units with all proceeds going to the AMSAT SA Kletskous and AfriCUBE projects. The antenna has two elements on 145 MHz and 3 elements on 435 MHz. The Yagi has a unique element called a 'Open Sleeve' which is a director very close to the driven element. The driven element is sized for 2M. When operating on 70cm the 'Open Sleeve' acts as part of the driven element on 70cm (Third harmonic of 2M). The original concept was developed in 1946 by Dr J T Bolljahn of the Stanford Research institute but was not introduced into amateur radio until the 1950s. The AMSAT SA version is based on a design by DK7ZB with modifications by WB5CXC. The first South African version was a collaboration between Guy Eales, ZS6GUY and Dr Gary Immelman, ZS6YI. It was developed for YOTA 2018 where young people successfully used the antenna oper- ating satellites using hand-held transceivers. Although currently only available in South Africa, interested ama- teur radio operators can access detailed specifications and photos at: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/DualbandYagi.htm [ANS thanks AMSAT SA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations + Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06, DM07, DM08, DM17, DM18) ? January 5-6, 2019 - Ron, AD0DX will be roving in Central California. ? He plans to activate the DM06/DM16 grid line Saturday morning, the ? DM 07/DM08/DM17/DM18 grid corner Saturday afternoon, and the ? CM95/CM96/DM05/DM06 grid corner on Sunday. Keep an eye on the ? @ad0dx Twitter feed for more updates https://twitter.com/ad0dx + Super Road Trip (Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida to Wyoming) ? January 9, 2019 until he gets back home - Starting Jan. 9, RJ, WY7AA, ? will be travelling from Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida, to New York ? and back to Wyoming, staying approximately 10 days in each place and ? activating grids whenever he can. ? - First stop Tennessee ? EM86, and will try roving to EM85, EL87, EL96. ? - Next on to Florida ? EL98, and will try roving to EL88, EL89, EL99. ? - Next on to New York ? FN02, and try try roving to FN01, FN03, FN11, ??? FN12, FN13 ? Travelling between each place, RJ will try to stop and work as he can, ? but putting down miles will take priority most often. In addition, RJ ? will be trying to operate mobile from time to time. FM birds for sure, ? but will be trying to learn linears while on the trip. Specific pass ? announcements will be posted to his Twitter feed: ? (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) and to the AMSAT-bb reflector. + Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06) ? January 12, 2019 ? David, AD7DB, will be in the area of Kettleman City CA near a ? convergence of four grids, operating on FM satellites. Grids (maybe ? gridlines) will depend on the satellite passes. Operation expected ? from 1700 UTC through 2300 UTC. Updates will be on Twitter as the ? time approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db + Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) ? January 19-27, 2019 ? John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He ? may also visit some adjoining grids. There will likely be other hams ? operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ. ? QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE. + Las Vegas NV and Northwest AZ (DM25, DM26, DM36) ? January 20-22, 2019 ? David, AD7DB, will be in Las Vegas at DM25/26 line, operating on FM ? satellites on a holiday schedule. In addition, weather permitting, ? sometime on Monday 01/21/19 he will make a side trip to Beaver Dam AZ ? to activate from DM36aw. Updates will be on Twitter as the time ? approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db + Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) ? February 8-11, 2019 - Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning ? a joint roving trip to Nevada. Planned activations include the ? DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday ? afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday ? evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday ? evening. This will be FM only. All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon ? return. Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes ? https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs.fi KI7UNJ-7. + Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) ? February 28 ? March 9, 2019 ? Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and ? Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be ? operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid ? FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM act- ? ivity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European ? stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be ? made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via ? amsat-bb. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ??????????????? 2019 is AMSAT's 50th Anniversary! ?? Watch this space for announcements of special events coming in 2019 ????????? Get ready to help celebrate with us at the Hamvention ???????????? Symposium 2019 promises to be a special event ??????? Stand by for 50th anniversary operating events and awards +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT at Thunderbird Hamfest in Glendale AZ, 12 January 2019 Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK will have an AMSAT booth at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's Thunderbird Hamfest 2019 on Saturday, 12 Jan- uary 2019. The hamfest will be at a new site, at the Glendale Nazarene Church on the corner of 59th Avenue and Cactus Road in Glendale, Ari- zona. More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.w7tbc.org/content.php?348-hamfest During the hamfest, Patrick will have demonstrations of satellite operating. If you hear WD9EWK on any passes, please call and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest is located in grid DM33, Maricopa County. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest. If you would like to receive a QSL card for working WD9EWK during the hamfest, please e-mail Patrick directly with the QSO details. If you are in his log, he will send you a QSL card. Patrick will post updates from the hamfest on his @WD9EWK Twitter account. If you do not use Twitter, you can still see these updates in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK [ANS thanks Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + DK3WN reports that the 145.825 MHz APRS digipeater on NO-84 ? (PSAT) has been re-enabled and is available for operations. ? The digipeater is turned off for a recharging period when ? telemetry shows battery voltage is low. ? http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=92041 + AO-73 (FUNcube-1) is now back to "Educational" mode after ? the holiday period (Transponder ON when in eclipse, with ? low power telemetry; High power telemetry when illuminated ? in sunlight.) Please keep tracking and sending in telemetry ? as the FUNcube team tries to better understand the spin ? effects over the next few months of full orbit sun. (AMSAT-UK) + AMSAT and radio amateurs extend best wishes and thank you to ? Alain, IZ6BYY and Claudio, IK1SLD for 17 years of service to ? the amateur space community on their ISSFanClub.com web site. ? ISSFanClub.com closed down on January 1, 2019. Alain wrote, ? "I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Thank you for your ? visits and your attention". + A new ISS fan presence has been started at http://issfanclub.eu/ ? Blog entries from January 3 and 4 are posted. Many of the pages ? are under construction in the new format. + CQ-DATV Magazine for January 2019 is available for download at: ? https://cq-datv.mobi/67.php ? Among the several features the article "Arduino SimpleSat Rotor ? Controller" by Tom Doyle, W9KE may be of particular interest to ? AMSAT satellite stations. Tom's controller uses the Yaesu GS?232 ? command set to control a Yaesu G?5500 Az?El rotor. The controller ? was designed to be compatible with the SatPC32 tracking program ? and should work with any tracking program that supports the Yaesu ? GS?232 format. (CQ-DATV Magazine via e-mail) + The Nashua Area Radio Society, N1FD has written a blog about ? their work in supporting Hudson Memorial School (HMS) in their ? bid to secure and hold an ISS Crew Contact. ? https://www.n1fd.org/2019/01/01/iss-crew-contact-journey/ + An NPR radio news feature discusses, "What's Next For Tiny ? Satellites?". about NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab's Marco cubesats ? that accompanied the InSight lander mission to Mars. JPL says ? their next cubesat mission will be a solar sail flight to a ? near Earth asteroid. Read and listen at: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-NPR-CubeSat-News + Good coverage for amateur radio and amateur satellites appeared in ? the Shropshire Star newspaper's ooverage of the Wellington Young- ? sters on the Air event, that saw young people talking to others from ? across the world, all under expert supervision. It was one of the ? events organised by Telford and District Amateur Radio Society to ? help attract younger people to the world of 'ham' radio. Read the ? article at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-UK-YOTA (AMSAT-UK) + Bookings for the AMSAT SA Space Symposium are now open. The Symposium ? will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Accolade Conference ? Centre in Midrand, South Africa. The rate will be R400 per person ? for AMSAT SA and SARL members and R600 for non-members. There is an ? early bird rate of R350 for AMSATSA and SARL Members, if booked and ? paid for by February 28, 2019. Accommodation is also available at the ? hotel at R855 plus VAT. More details on www.amsatsa.org.za + A calendar of upcoming astronomical events, launches, and space- ? craft operations available as Google or iOS calendars: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-NYTimes-Astro-Calendar + Greg, W4GHW, program coordinator for the Coastal Plains ARC, sent ? a request for a presentation on any amateur satellites at their ? club. They meet in Tifton, Georgia on the second Saturday of each ? month. If you can help please e-mail Greg at w4ghw ＠ arrl.net + A paper is available for downloading which may be of interest regard- ? ing telemetry: "Easy-to-Build Satellite Beacon Receiver for Propa- ? gation Experimentation at Millimeter Bands" can be accessed at: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-Millimeter-Telemetry + There are some amateur radio connections with the New Horizons ? probe which had a successful flyby of Ultima Thule on January 1. ? Lee, KT4TZ worked on the launch in 2006. Dan, N8FGV works on the ? New Horizons team now. [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 behave and to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans From ans ＠ amsat.org Sun Jan 6 09:06:54 2019 From: ans ＠ amsat.org (JoAnne K9JKM via ANS) Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2019 18:06:54 -0600 Subject: [jamsat-news:3584] [ans] ANS-006 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: <64478ed8-2dde-5028-36d3-9c80478ad670@comcast.net> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-006 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: * Recurring Donations Feature Added to AMSAT.org * D-STAR ONE Launched, Telemetry Received * Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring W6RO Satellite Operation * PW-Sat2 Deorbit Sail Deployment - On-Board Camera Footage * JAMSAT NEXUS V/U Mode-J CubeSat Scheduled to Launch January 17 * Australian National Scout Jamboree - AJ2019 * DL50AMSAT Callsign IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 * VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 2018 * AMSAT South Africa Dual-Band VHF/UHF Yagi * Upcoming Satellite Operations * AMSAT at Thunderbird Hamfest in Glendale AZ, 12 January 2019 * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-006.01 ANS-006 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 006.01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE January 6, 2019 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-006.01 Recurring Donations Feature Added to AMSAT.org Would you like to donate to AMSAT and/or ARISS but can only afford a little at a time? Even small amounts help, especially as they add up over time! You can now use AMSAT’s recurring donations on the new donation portal at https://www.amsat.org/donations/ This is a great way for everyone to donate $5-10 a month over time to make a significant contribution. Thank you for helping keep amateur radio in space. [ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- D-STAR ONE Launched, Telemetry Received German Orbital Systems reports a successful telemetry downlink has been received. Their web page http://www.d-star.one/ reports D-Star ONE Sparrow and D-Star ONE iSat were successfully launched on Dec- ember 27 as part of an ECM smallsat cluster on the Soyuz-2/Fregat from Russia's Vostochny launch site. Additional details can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE During the first orbits, beacons were received in the US, Germany, Czech Republic and Belarus, confirming the successful separations of the satellites on their target orbit 585 km, 97.73 deg, SSO. D-Star ONE Sparrow and D-Star ONE iSat are a pair of 3U cubesats which are equipped with four identical radio modules with D-Star capabilities, all being operated in a half-duplex mode. At press time DSTAR One Sparrow was planned to be used for amateur radio. DK3WN received the first telemetry on December 29, 2018 with more signals received by Scott, K4KDR and Vladimir, EU1SAT. Check the German Orbital Systems web page for LEOP status and satellite availability for contacts. D-Star ONE Sparrow operates as a half duplex repeater: Callsign:? DP1GOS Uplink:??? 437.325 MHz Downlink:? 435.525 MHz RF-Power: 800-1200 mW Telemetry: 435.700 MHz 4k8 GMSK Mobitex (CMX990 Mobitex Format) The telemetry format is documented at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE-Telemetry A telemetry decoder is available at: http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?page_id=29535 Technical details for radio amateurs is posted at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-DSTAR-ONE-Amateur A D-Star voice message beacon transmits once a minute. All mod- ules are operated in a power save mode. This means that they are in idle for 40 seconds and then in receive mode for 20 seconds. Once a signal has been received, the modules switch to receive mode for five minutes. So it might be necessary to "ping" the satellite a couple of times until an answer is received. Object #43879 continues to be a likely fit for tracking at present. [ANS thanks German Orbital Systems for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Ham Talk Live Podcast Featuring W6RO Satellite Operation If you missed the January 3 Ham Talk Live show featuring Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK, Endaf Buckley, N6UTC, and David Akins, N6HHR, discussing amateur radio and satellite operation on the RMS Queen Mary you can play back a recording of this episode at: https://www.spreaker.com/show/ham-talk-live then select Episode 147 - Aboard the Queen Mary, W6RO. Patrick and Endaf recently made a trip to the ship to do satel- lite operations, so they will report on that special event. David will fill us in on the history of the ship's radio room and the routine amateur radio operations from W6RO. Ham Talk Live is also available as a podcast on nearly all podcast sites: Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, SoundCloud, and iHeart Podcasts; and it's also available on YouTube. [ANS thanks Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, and Ham Talk Live for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- PW-Sat2 Deorbit Sail Deployment - On-Board Camera Footage PW-Sat2, the second Polish student satellite, also launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 SSO-A flight with AMSAT Fox-1Cliff, is a student project with the goal to test a new deorbit sail. The sail was deployed on December 29, 2018. On-Board camera footage of the event can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fbMzI9w4MM Amateur radio operators are invited to take part in this mission. Dashboard software to receive, decode and upload PW-Sat2 frames to the PW-Sat2 cloud is available on their website: https://radio.pw-sat.pl/ The team has posted additional information at: https://github.com/PW-Sat2/HAMRadio/wiki PW-Sat2 transmits on 435.275 MHz using 1k2 and 9k6 BPSK AX25. [ANS thanks the PW-Sat2 team for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ???????? For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members ??????????????? will receive a free digital copy of ????????????? "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" ??????????? Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at ?????? https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ JAMSAT NEXUS V/U Mode-J CubeSat Scheduled to Launch January 17 The Japan AMSAT Association (JAMSAT) and students at the Nippon University are jointly developing a CubeSat called NEXUS which will have a 145 to 435 MHz (Mode-J) transponder and a 38 kbps data downlink. Nippon University students have previously developed the SEEDS and SPROUT satellites. NEXUS is an acronym of “Next Education X (cross) Unique Satellite”, it will be 1U CubeSat with a mass of between 1 and 1.5 kg. The NEXUS cubesat will: + Provide amateur radio communications via the 145/435 MHz ? transponder and SSTV + Download pictures from the 640×480 pixel camera + Operate the data downlink at 38400 bps QPSK + Compare the performance of the data downlink when using AFSK, ? GMSK and QPSK modes NEXUS will be launched from the JAXA Uchinoura Space Center located in Kagoshima Prefecture on January 17, 2019 (JST) aboard an Epsilon rocket together with OrigamiSat-1 and AOBA-Velox-IV into a 500 km sun sync- hronous orbit. Linear transponder ------------------ Uplink:?? 145.900-145.930 MHz (CW/LSB) Downlink: 435.880-435.910 MHz (CW/USB) CW/Data:? 435.900 MHz & 437.075 MHz Callsign: JS1YAV Separation from the rocket is planned for T + 4100 seconds after launch at which time NEXUS will be powered on. CW telemetry infor- mation will commence transmission 16 minutes, 40 seconds following power up. The NEXUS team has posted a PDF document in English describing the planned initial operations, telemetry format, and preliminary TLEs at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-Nexus-Initial-Ops NEXUS website in Google English http://tinyurl.com/NEXUS-Satellite NEXUS Blog http://tinyurl.com/NEXUS-Sat-Blog JAMSAT in Google English http://tinyurl.com/JAMSAT Read the AMSAT-UK posting at: https://amsat-uk.org/2014/08/24/nexus-cubesat-mode-j-transponder/ [ANS thanks JAMSAT and Nippon University for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Australian National Scout Jamboree - AJ2019 Between January 4-14, 2019, 8400 Scouts from every Australian state plus representatives from 18 nations will converge in Tailem Bend in South Australia to participate in the 25th Australian Scout Jamboree - AJ2019. Their special event station will be active using VI25AJ. The special event station is expecting to showcase Amateur Radio to approximately 2000 scouts over the duration of the Jamboree. They will be active on the satellites as well as HF bands (SSB and digital modes), IRLP and EchoLink. They are looking for amateurs to give them a call during the Jamboree to help give the scouts an amazing experience - and perhaps take up the hobby on their return home. Full schedule, modes and planned frequencies will be posted at: https://www.qrz.com/db/vi25aj [ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ??? AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign ??? to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades ??? on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to ??? continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. ???? We have reached a great milestone with $16,795 raised ??? or about 10% towards our goal. This would not have been ???????? possible without your outstanding generosity!! ????????? For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit: ???? https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ DL50AMSAT Callsign IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 The IG HamSpirit Satellite Weekend January 18-20 will feature the new AMSAT-DL callsign DL50AMSAT on the air from Saxony on the Czech border. Also planned are antenna construction and testing projects and testing satellite tracking programs on a variety of operating systems. IG HamSpirit hosts several radio events during the year with this event dedicated to amateur satellite operating. AMSAT-DL says you can track the event on Instagram and Twitter with the hashtag #satelliteweekend [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for December 2018 Ron, W5RKN has provided the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period December 1, 2018 through January 1, 2019. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month! CALL??????? 01Dec?? 01Jan KO4MA?????? 1627??? 1656 WC7V??????? 1159??? 1160 W5RKN??????? 634???? 660 WD9EWK?????? 513???? 525 NS3L???????? 350???? 375 PV8DX??????? 313???? 360 AE5B???????? 300???? 342 N3GS???????? 300???? 332 K8BL???????? 252???? 257 PT9BM??????? 176???? 203 AD0HJ??????? 175???? 200 KK4YEL?????? 102???? 200 N7AGF??????? 175???? 200 K9UO???????? 150???? 175 AD0DX??????? 101???? 167 W4AQT??????? 125???? 153 PU8RFL?????? 134???? 146 PS8MT??????? 130???? 145 PU8MRS?????? 100???? 127 LW2DAF?????? 110???? 115 WD9EWK(DM23) New???? 104 F6GLJ??????? New???? 103 WI4T???????? New???? 101 AI9IN??????? New???? 100 If you find errors or omissions please contact Ron off-list at @.com and he'll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for December 1, 2018 and January 1, 2019. It's a visual comparison so omissions are pos- sible. 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] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT South Africa Dual-Band VHF/UHF Yagi News from South Africa announces AMSAT SA is offering a dual-band VHF/UHF antenna. AMSAT SA is indebted to Dr Gary Immelman ZS6YI who has donated 200 units with all proceeds going to the AMSAT SA Kletskous and AfriCUBE projects. The antenna has two elements on 145 MHz and 3 elements on 435 MHz. The Yagi has a unique element called a 'Open Sleeve' which is a director very close to the driven element. The driven element is sized for 2M. When operating on 70cm the 'Open Sleeve' acts as part of the driven element on 70cm (Third harmonic of 2M). The original concept was developed in 1946 by Dr J T Bolljahn of the Stanford Research institute but was not introduced into amateur radio until the 1950s. The AMSAT SA version is based on a design by DK7ZB with modifications by WB5CXC. The first South African version was a collaboration between Guy Eales, ZS6GUY and Dr Gary Immelman, ZS6YI. It was developed for YOTA 2018 where young people successfully used the antenna oper- ating satellites using hand-held transceivers. Although currently only available in South Africa, interested ama- teur radio operators can access detailed specifications and photos at: http://www.amsatsa.org.za/DualbandYagi.htm [ANS thanks AMSAT SA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations + Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06, DM07, DM08, DM17, DM18) ? January 5-6, 2019 - Ron, AD0DX will be roving in Central California. ? He plans to activate the DM06/DM16 grid line Saturday morning, the ? DM 07/DM08/DM17/DM18 grid corner Saturday afternoon, and the ? CM95/CM96/DM05/DM06 grid corner on Sunday. Keep an eye on the ? @ad0dx Twitter feed for more updates https://twitter.com/ad0dx + Super Road Trip (Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida to Wyoming) ? January 9, 2019 until he gets back home - Starting Jan. 9, RJ, WY7AA, ? will be travelling from Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida, to New York ? and back to Wyoming, staying approximately 10 days in each place and ? activating grids whenever he can. ? - First stop Tennessee ? EM86, and will try roving to EM85, EL87, EL96. ? - Next on to Florida ? EL98, and will try roving to EL88, EL89, EL99. ? - Next on to New York ? FN02, and try try roving to FN01, FN03, FN11, ??? FN12, FN13 ? Travelling between each place, RJ will try to stop and work as he can, ? but putting down miles will take priority most often. In addition, RJ ? will be trying to operate mobile from time to time. FM birds for sure, ? but will be trying to learn linears while on the trip. Specific pass ? announcements will be posted to his Twitter feed: ? (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) and to the AMSAT-bb reflector. + Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06) ? January 12, 2019 ? David, AD7DB, will be in the area of Kettleman City CA near a ? convergence of four grids, operating on FM satellites. Grids (maybe ? gridlines) will depend on the satellite passes. Operation expected ? from 1700 UTC through 2300 UTC. Updates will be on Twitter as the ? time approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db + Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) ? January 19-27, 2019 ? John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He ? may also visit some adjoining grids. There will likely be other hams ? operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ. ? QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE. + Las Vegas NV and Northwest AZ (DM25, DM26, DM36) ? January 20-22, 2019 ? David, AD7DB, will be in Las Vegas at DM25/26 line, operating on FM ? satellites on a holiday schedule. In addition, weather permitting, ? sometime on Monday 01/21/19 he will make a side trip to Beaver Dam AZ ? to activate from DM36aw. Updates will be on Twitter as the time ? approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db + Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) ? February 8-11, 2019 - Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning ? a joint roving trip to Nevada. Planned activations include the ? DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday ? afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday ? evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday ? evening. This will be FM only. All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon ? return. Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes ? https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs.fi KI7UNJ-7. + Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) ? February 28 ? March 9, 2019 ? Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and ? Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be ? operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid ? FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM act- ? ivity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European ? stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be ? made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via ? amsat-bb. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ ??????????????? 2019 is AMSAT's 50th Anniversary! ?? Watch this space for announcements of special events coming in 2019 ????????? Get ready to help celebrate with us at the Hamvention ???????????? Symposium 2019 promises to be a special event ??????? Stand by for 50th anniversary operating events and awards +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT at Thunderbird Hamfest in Glendale AZ, 12 January 2019 Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK will have an AMSAT booth at the Thunderbird Amateur Radio Club's Thunderbird Hamfest 2019 on Saturday, 12 Jan- uary 2019. The hamfest will be at a new site, at the Glendale Nazarene Church on the corner of 59th Avenue and Cactus Road in Glendale, Ari- zona. More information about the hamfest is available at: http://www.w7tbc.org/content.php?348-hamfest During the hamfest, Patrick will have demonstrations of satellite operating. If you hear WD9EWK on any passes, please call and be a part of the demonstrations. The hamfest is located in grid DM33, Maricopa County. All QSOs will be uploaded to Logbook of the World after the hamfest. If you would like to receive a QSL card for working WD9EWK during the hamfest, please e-mail Patrick directly with the QSO details. If you are in his log, he will send you a QSL card. Patrick will post updates from the hamfest on his @WD9EWK Twitter account. If you do not use Twitter, you can still see these updates in a web browser at: http://twitter.com/WD9EWK [ANS thanks Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + DK3WN reports that the 145.825 MHz APRS digipeater on NO-84 ? (PSAT) has been re-enabled and is available for operations. ? The digipeater is turned off for a recharging period when ? telemetry shows battery voltage is low. ? http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=92041 + AO-73 (FUNcube-1) is now back to "Educational" mode after ? the holiday period (Transponder ON when in eclipse, with ? low power telemetry; High power telemetry when illuminated ? in sunlight.) Please keep tracking and sending in telemetry ? as the FUNcube team tries to better understand the spin ? effects over the next few months of full orbit sun. (AMSAT-UK) + AMSAT and radio amateurs extend best wishes and thank you to ? Alain, IZ6BYY and Claudio, IK1SLD for 17 years of service to ? the amateur space community on their ISSFanClub.com web site. ? ISSFanClub.com closed down on January 1, 2019. Alain wrote, ? "I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did. Thank you for your ? visits and your attention". + A new ISS fan presence has been started at http://issfanclub.eu/ ? Blog entries from January 3 and 4 are posted. Many of the pages ? are under construction in the new format. + CQ-DATV Magazine for January 2019 is available for download at: ? https://cq-datv.mobi/67.php ? Among the several features the article "Arduino SimpleSat Rotor ? Controller" by Tom Doyle, W9KE may be of particular interest to ? AMSAT satellite stations. Tom's controller uses the Yaesu GS?232 ? command set to control a Yaesu G?5500 Az?El rotor. The controller ? was designed to be compatible with the SatPC32 tracking program ? and should work with any tracking program that supports the Yaesu ? GS?232 format. (CQ-DATV Magazine via e-mail) + The Nashua Area Radio Society, N1FD has written a blog about ? their work in supporting Hudson Memorial School (HMS) in their ? bid to secure and hold an ISS Crew Contact. ? https://www.n1fd.org/2019/01/01/iss-crew-contact-journey/ + An NPR radio news feature discusses, "What's Next For Tiny ? Satellites?". about NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab's Marco cubesats ? that accompanied the InSight lander mission to Mars. JPL says ? their next cubesat mission will be a solar sail flight to a ? near Earth asteroid. Read and listen at: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-NPR-CubeSat-News + Good coverage for amateur radio and amateur satellites appeared in ? the Shropshire Star newspaper's ooverage of the Wellington Young- ? sters on the Air event, that saw young people talking to others from ? across the world, all under expert supervision. It was one of the ? events organised by Telford and District Amateur Radio Society to ? help attract younger people to the world of 'ham' radio. Read the ? article at: http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-UK-YOTA (AMSAT-UK) + Bookings for the AMSAT SA Space Symposium are now open. The Symposium ? will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2019 at the Accolade Conference ? Centre in Midrand, South Africa. The rate will be R400 per person ? for AMSAT SA and SARL members and R600 for non-members. There is an ? early bird rate of R350 for AMSATSA and SARL Members, if booked and ? paid for by February 28, 2019. Accommodation is also available at the ? hotel at R855 plus VAT. More details on www.amsatsa.org.za + A calendar of upcoming astronomical events, launches, and space- ? craft operations available as Google or iOS calendars: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-NYTimes-Astro-Calendar + Greg, W4GHW, program coordinator for the Coastal Plains ARC, sent ? a request for a presentation on any amateur satellites at their ? club. They meet in Tifton, Georgia on the second Saturday of each ? month. If you can help please e-mail Greg at w4ghw ＠ arrl.net + A paper is available for downloading which may be of interest regard- ? ing telemetry: "Easy-to-Build Satellite Beacon Receiver for Propa- ? gation Experimentation at Millimeter Bands" can be accessed at: ? http://tinyurl.com/ANS-006-Millimeter-Telemetry + There are some amateur radio connections with the New Horizons ? probe which had a successful flyby of Ultima Thule on January 1. ? Lee, KT4TZ worked on the launch in 2006. Dan, N8FGV works on the ? New Horizons team now. [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 behave and to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans From ans ＠ amsat.org Sun Jan 13 11:29:02 2019 From: ans ＠ amsat.org (E.Mike McCardel via ANS) Date: Sat, 12 Jan 2019 21:29:02 -0500 Subject: [jamsat-news:3585] [ans] ANS-013 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-013 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 50th Anniversary Awards Program * Fox-1 CubeSat Model Kits Available * CubeSat Airborne Science Payload Standard * UWE-4 CubeSat frequency change request approved * HamSCI 2019 Workshop Set for March in Cleveland, Call for Papers Issued * Nominations Solicited for Six ARRL Awards * AMSAT Argentina Special Event * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-013.01 ANS-013 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 013.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. January 13, 2019 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-013.01 AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (as AMSAT is officially known) was formed March 3, 1969 as a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered in the District of Columbia. Since its founding, AMSAT has designed, constructed, and, with the added assistance of international government and commercial agencies, successfully launched, 20 Amateur Radio satellites into Earth orbit. To help celebrate 50 years of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space, AMSAT is proud to announce the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program. Throughout 2019, your satellite and HF QSOs can help you achieve one of these special awards: + 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award + 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award + AMSAT on HF 50th Anniversary Award 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (Limited Edition) Unlike the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award will be issued on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certificates and signed by AMSAT's founding President, Perry Klein, K3TJE (now W3PK). With only 20 original certificates available, this award will certainly become a collector's item. The first 20 applicants to successfully submit 20 confirmed, qualifying contacts on any satellite will receive this award. A qualifying contact is defined as the establishment of two-way communication on any amateur radio satellite, with another station in a U.S. state, Canadian call area, or DXCC entity, no two of which may be the same. + All contacts must be made between March 03, 2019 00:00 UTC and December 31, 2019 23:59 UTC. + A U.S. state shall mean any state of the United States and the District of Columbia. + The 14 Canadian call areas are VE1 - Nova Scotia, VE2 - Quebec, VE3 - Ontario, VE4 - Manitoba, VE5 - Saskatchewan, VE6 - Alberta, VE7 - British Columbia, VE8 - Northwest Territories, VE9 - New Brunswick, VO1 - Newfoundland, VO2 - Labrador, VY0 - Nunavut, VY1 - Yukon, VY2 - Prince Edward Island. + Only one qualifying contact is allowed for each U.S. state, Canadian call area, and DXCC entity. + Qualifying contacts may not be counted for multiple types of entities. As an example, a QSO with Alaska counts as an additional state or DXCC entity, not both. + Contacts must be made from same location, or from locations, no two of which are more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) apart. + Previous recipients of the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, may apply for the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award. The cost for this award is $25, plus postage. Certificates will be mailed upon receipt of payment. Certificates will be sequentially numbered. To apply for an 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award, you must email the AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards [kk5do (at) amsat (dot) org]. This email must include: + The name of the award you are applying for as the subject line. + Your name as you wish is to appear on your issued certificate + Your AMSAT member number. If you are not an AMSAT member, then state so. + Attachment(s) providing proof of your qualifying contacts. Acceptable proof of each qualifying contacts is limited to scanned copies of a QSL card or a screen capture/printout of your LoTW confirmation. Acceptable email file attachments include .jpg and .png. You may also paste the images in a Word or Adobe PDF document. After your email application has been accepted and approved, you will receive a reply email instructing you how to make your payment on the AMSAT Online Store. Your certificate will then be sent to you, using the shipping address you used with your online payment. 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award To achieve this award, you must work 50 amateur radio operators on any satellite (limit of 1 contact per day) during 2019. There is no requirement for operating at the same location for all contacts, as long as your home call sign is used somewhere in the operating call sign (e.g. KK5DO/MM, KK5DO/VE5, etc.). The cost for this award is $15, plus postage. Certificates will be mailed upon receipt of payment. There will be no sequence number on the certificate. To apply for this award, visit the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Award section in the AMSAT Online Store and select the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award. In the comment section, enter or copy and paste the required log information, which must include: (1) Date, (2) UTC time, (3) Satellite name, and (4) Station worked. EXAMPLE: 20190115 1835 AO-91 VE3ABC Once you are satisfied with your entry, select PURCHASE and complete your payment method. AMSAT on HF 50th Anniversary Award To achieve this award, you must work at least one AMSAT Member on any HF band, in any mode. In addition, there are additional level of this award, based on the number of AMSAT Members you contact on the HF bands: + One AMSAT member contacted earns the basic OSCAR-1 award + Seven AMSAT members contacted earns the AO-7 endorsement + Twenty-Nine AMSAT members contacted earns the FO-29 endorsement + Fifty AMSAT members contacted earns the SO-50 endorsement + Ninety-Two AMSAT members contacted earns the AO-92 endorsement + Two Hundred AMSAT members contacted earns the ISS endorsement AMSAT member members are encouraged to call "CQ AMSAT 50" on any HF band/mode. The minimum exchange is your call, signal report, and your membership number. Life members use LM and your number. Cost is $15, plus postage. Certificates will be mailed in early 2020. There will be no sequence number on the certificate. To apply for this award, visit the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Award section in the AMSAT Online Store and select the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award. In the comment section, enter or copy and paste the required log information, which must include: (1) Date, (2) UTC time, (3) Band, (4) Mode, (5) Station Worked, and (6) their AMSAT number. EXAMPLE: 20190115 1835 20 CW W1ABC 1234 Once you are satisfied with your entry, select PURCHASE and complete your payment method. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT-NA VP of User Services for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Fox-1 CubeSat Model Kits Available Through the dedicated work of John Kludt, K4SQC, and Stefan Wagener, VE4NSA, AMSAT can again offer a 1:1 scale cardboard model of the Fox-1 CubeSat. It is life size, and based on the latest Fox-1 engineering drawings for highest fidelity in design and appearance. The model is printed in color on heavy stock paper, includes all components, and the instructions are carefully prepared to allow for easy assembly requiring scissors, glue etc. Depending on experience, assembly will take approximately 10+ hours. The complete model will be a perfect addition to any satellite operator's shack, and a chance to show visitors what is being done by AMSAT today. All proceeds will go to supporting AMSAT's satellite projects. Price is $40 + shipping. https://www.amsat.org/product/fox-1-cubesat-model/ [ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- CubeSat Airborne Science Payload Standard As part of a new initiative, the Cal Poly CubeSat Lab is working with NASA Ames Research Center to prototype a standardized mounting system for testing CubeSat-based systems on aircraft (incl. UAVs) and balloons. We are seeking collaborators interested in airborne testing payloads, components, or complete systems, that could provide use- cases and assist in defining interface requirements. This Project has the potential to allow for expanded opportunities for payload development and testing. We would like your input as we design and develop this system and have put together a google form with a ten short questions that would help us derive our system requirements in the coming weeks. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/ANS013-AirborneScience [ANS thanks Cal Poly CubeSat Lab via Dave Pignatelli for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- UWE-4 CubeSat frequency change request approved After two weeks in orbit, UWE-4 is in very good shape. The batteries are fully charged, the temperatures of the batteries, the outside panels and the MCU are all lying in the expected range. It has been observed that the battery temperatures are slightly rising around 8:45 am, when the downlink of this measurement took place. After the early orbit phase, we are looking forward to some interesting experiments with the attitude determination sensors and the propulsion system. Unfortunately, our uplink success rate is very poor, which currently prevents these experiments. In the precursor mission UWE-3, it was found that the reason for this is very likely a substantial noise floor at the used frequency range. For this reason, we filed a request for the change of our radio frequency to 435.600 MHz with IARU, which has already been approved. January 10, we will started the procedure to change the frequency of UWE-4. So if you want to track UWE-4, please adjust your center frequency accordingly. We already started the procedure to change the frequency on UWE-4, so during the next days it may happen that you can also still receive a signal on our old frequency. Additionally, we have been assigned NORAD ID 43880 in the meantime. A tool in order to upload the received UWE-4 telemetry directly into our groundstation database is a work in progress and will be shared with you as soon as we have tested it thoroughly. Until then, we would be very grateful, if you'd forward your UWE-4 telemetry files to uwe4 ＠ informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. [ANS thanks the The UWE-4 Team via Trevor M5AKA for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- HamSCI 2019 Workshop Set for March in Cleveland, Call for Papers Issued The 2019 HamSCI Workshop will take place March 22 - 23 at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) in Cleveland, Ohio, in association with the CWRU Amateur Radio Club (W8EDU). Registration is now open, and papers are invited. "We are especially looking for speakers with presentations showing analysis of ionospheric observations, ideas and proposals for the design of the Personal Space Weather Station and instrumentation for the 2024 eclipse," HamSCI's Nathaniel Frissell, W2NAF, said. "We will also accept other presentations related to Amateur Radio and science." If you would like to present, email your abstract to hamsci ＠ hamsci.org by February 10, 2019. The theme for this year's conference will be "Ionospheric Effects and Sensing," including the use of Amateur Radio techniques to characterize and study ionospheric phenomena such as traveling ionospheric disturbances, sporadic E, response to solar flares, geomagnetic storms, the 2024 total solar eclipse, and other space weather events. Discussion will include continued development of the HamSCI Personal Space Weather Station and integration of Amateur Radio into the collegiate curriculum. Featured speakers will include well-known Amateur Radio author Ward Silver, N0AX, propagation specialist Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA, and Larisa Goncharenko, who will talk on Space Science for Ham Radio Operators. The workshop is hosted by CWRU in collaboration with New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT). [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Nominations Solicited for Six ARRL Awards The ARRL invites nominations for awards that recognize educational and technological pursuits in Amateur Radio. Nominations are also open for ARRL's premier award to honor a young licensee - the Hiram Percy Maxim Award. The Hiram Percy Maxim Award recognizes a radio amateur and ARRL member under age 21 whose accomplishments and contributions are of the most exemplary nature within the framework of Amateur Radio activities. Nominations for this award need to be made through your ARRL Section Manager, who will then forward the nomination to ARRL Headquarters by March 31, 2019. The ARRL Herb S. Brier Instructor of the Year Award honors an ARRL volunteer Amateur Radio instructor or an ARRL professional classroom teacher who uses creative instructional approaches and reflects the highest values of the Amateur Radio community. The award highlights quality of - and commitment to - licensing instruction. Nominations are due by March 15, 2019. The ARRL Microwave Development Award pays tribute to a radio amateur or group of radio amateurs who contribute to the development of the Amateur Radio microwave bands. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2019. The ARRL Technical Service Award recognizes a radio amateur or group of radio amateurs who provide Amateur Radio technical assistance or training to others. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2019. The ARRL Technical Innovation Award is granted to a radio amateur or group of radio amateurs who develop and apply new technical ideas or techniques in Amateur Radio. The nomination deadline is March 31, 2019. The Knight Distinguished Service Award was established to recognize exceptionally notable contributions by a Section Manager to the health and vitality of ARRL. The nomination deadline is April 30, 2019. The ARRL Board of Directors selects recipients for these awards. Winners are typically announced following the Board's July meeting. More information about these awards is on the ARRL website, or contact Steve Ewald, WV1X, telephone (860) 594-0265, at ARRL Headquarters. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT Argentina Special Event During 'the weekend of the lussat', from Saturday-19 to Sunday-January 20, 2019 (2 days), Amsat-Lu, several radio clubs and collaborators will deliver to a contact commemorative contact The 29th anniversary of the lussat-1, 1St Argentine satellite. It will operate in 80/40/6 m / 2 M / 23 cm in FM, SSB, CW, j3e, psk31, ft-8, packet, Sstv-R36 and via active amateur satellites. It will be called 'Lux Collaborating Station of amsat Argentina, awarded qsl commemorative for the 29th anniversary of the lussat'. Celebrating His stay in space our lussat continues to broadcast after 29 years a strong pressed carrier, recibible in 437.125 Khz. + /- Doppler. See schedules of steps at http://amsat.org.ar/pass?satx=LUSAT [ANS thanks Ricardo LU4ARU for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations Super Road Trip (Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida to Wyoming) - January 9, 2019 until he gets back home Starting Jan. 9th, RJ, WY7AA, will be traveling from Wyoming to Tennessee to Florida, to New York and back to Wyoming, staying approximately 10 days in each place and activating grids whenever he can. First stop Tennessee - EM86, and will try to rove to EM85, EL87, and EL96. Next on to Florida - EL98, and will try to rove to EL88, EL89, and EL99. And then on to New York - FN02, and try to rove to FN01, FN03, FN11, FN12, and FN13 Traveling between each place, RJ will try to stop and work as he can, but putting down miles will take priority most often. In addition, RJ will be trying to operate mobile from time to time. FM birds for sure, but will be trying to learn linears while on the trip. Specific pass announcements will be posted to his Twitter feed (https://twitter.com/WY7AA) and to the AMSAT-bb reflector. Oregon (DN04) - January 11, 2019 Casey, KI7UNJ, will make a quick trip to DN04 on January 11th. Passes will be FM only: 17:36z AO-92; 18:34z AO-91; 19:09z AO-92; 20:09 AO-91; and 20:24z SO-50. Keep an eye on Casey's Twitter feed for further announcements https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ Central California (CM95, CM96, DM05, DM06) - January 12, 2019 David, AD7DB, will be in the area of Kettleman City CA near a convergence of four grids, operating on FM satellites. Grids (maybe gridlines) will depend on the satellite passes. Operation expected from 1700 UTC through 2300 UTC. Updates will be on Twitter as the time approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) - January 19-27, 2019 John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He may also visit some adjoining grids. There will likely be other hams operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ. QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE Las Vegas NV and Northwest AZ (DM25, DM26, DM36) - January 20-22, 2019 David, AD7DB, will be in Las Vegas at DM25/26 line, operating on FM satellites on a holiday schedule. In addition, weather permitting, sometime on Monday 01/21/19 he will make a side trip to Beaver Dam AZ to activate from DM36aw. Updates will be on Twitter as the time approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db Labrador (GO11) - January 20-22, 2019 VE3FU, VO1HP, and VE9CB will be participating in the CQ160 CW Contest from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (GO11), which will be held 2200Z January 25 - 2200Z January 27, 2019. This is important, because, if time permits they will be active on AO-85, AO- 91, and AO-92 passes before the contest. Call signs are expected to be VO2AC and VO2AAA. Note: this is just preliminary information. Keep your eye on https://twitter.com/chrisve3fu and https://www.qrz.com/db/vo2ac for possible updates. Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) - February 8-11, 2019 Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning a joint roving trip to Nevada, February 8-11, 2019. Planned activations include the DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday evening. This will be FM only. All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon return. Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs.fi KI7UNJ-7. Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) - February 28 - March 9, 2019 Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM activity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb. Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org Updated January 9, 2019 See https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/ [ANS thanks Robert KE4AL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + 2019-01-08 15:28 UTC between Astronaut David St-Jacques KG5FYI using ISS callsign NA1SS and Pembroke Junior Senior High School, Corfu, NY, USA. Contact was telebridge via LU8YY. ARISS Mentor was Steve W2AKK. Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule There are no contacts scheduled for the upcoming week. [ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Shorts From All Over + SatNOGS Dashboard The SatNOGS Dashboard project makes crowd-sourced dashboards which visualize data that has been collected and decoded through the Sat- NOGS Network and SatNOGS DB. Links to production dashboards already created can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/SatNogs-Telemetry SatNOGS is using InfluxDB and Grafana for their telemetry dashboards. InfluxDB is a time-series database designed to be efficient for time-series data like the telemetry collected in SatNOGS. Additional documentation is provided on the SatNOGS Wiki pages: https://wiki.satnogs.org/Telemetry_Dashboards [ANS thanks LibreSpace Community/SatNOGS] + Satellite DXPedition News for AMSAT Philippe, EA4NF will be active from MONACO as 3A/EA4NF during February 15-18,2019 on FM and SSB satellites. QSL via LoTW [ANS thanks Philippe EA4NF for the above information.] + All About Ham Satellites Feature at Hackaday Al Williams has put together togetherbab series on Hackaday All About Ham Satellites. Visit: https://hackaday.com/2019/01/07/all-about-ham-satellites/ [ANS thanks Hackaday.com for the above information] + SmallSat Symposium 2019 Highlights SmallSat Symposium 2019 promises something for everyone, including 19 Sessions, 3 Keynotes, 3 Technology Briefs and many networking opportunities. For details visit https://mailchi.mp/satnews/smallsat19_1-200613?e=e3b56a3ebc [ANS thanks Simon Payne for the above information] + US Islands Awards Program Now Accepting Sat QSOs Sean Kutzo KX9X recently tweeted that "...the Us Islands portable #hamradio awards program has modified their rules to allow satellite contacts, effective January 1, 2019! More units to activate on satellite. Check out http://usislands.org for details!" [ANS thanks Sean KX9X for the above information.] + PicSat Cubesat Mission The PicSat team has made available to all a paper about their cubesat and the mission. Access the full paper here: https://arxiv.org/abs/1901.02677 (PicSat via Twitter) [ANS thanks PicSat via Twitter 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, This week's ANS Editor, EMike McCardel, AA8EM aa8em at amsat dot org _______________________________________________ Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans From ans ＠ amsat.org Sun Jan 20 09:13:11 2019 From: ans ＠ amsat.org (Frank Karnauskas via ANS) Date: Sat, 19 Jan 2019 17:13:11 -0700 Subject: [jamsat-news:3586] [ans] ANS-020 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: <000001d4b054$eed142e0$cc73c8a0$@GoKarns.com> AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-020 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: * Knacksat in Safe Mode: Reports Needed * NEXUS Launch Update * OrigamiSat-1 Launch Update * AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program * CubeSat Postdoc Job Opening at University of Arizona * CubeSat Training Offered April 23-25, 2019 * Upcoming Satellite Launches Announced * Upcoming Satellite Operations * ARISS News * Shorts from All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-020.01 ANS-020 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 000.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. January 20, 2010 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-020.01 Knacksat in Safe Mode: Reports Needed Before the New Year 2019 Tanan Rangseeprom, HS1JAN, Khun Chawalit, E20KEW and Khun Krisada, E21EJC visited Prof Dr. Suwat, the Knacksat Project Leader, and Dr. Pongsathorn, the Knacksat Project Team Manager at the King Mongkut Institute of Technology North Bangkok (KMUT-NB) to enquire about the status of the Knacksat satellite following its SSO-A launch by a Space X rocket on December 3, 2018. Due to problems with the Space X rocket, the launch had been postponed several times and the satellite's batteries may have become depleted by the time the satellite was finally launched by SSO-A. When the deploy switch was to have been working for about 30 minutes the VHF/UHF antennas would have deployed with heat from the nichrome wire. A lower than normal battery power and the need for high-voltage to deploy the antenna may be the reason that Knacksat then entered the Safe Mode. This is done in order to charge the battery and to await orders from the HS0AK Ground Station. The Knacksat team is confident that the satellite is still in a state of sleep. They expect that it may take many months to charge the battery to get to the original energy level. The Knacksat team urgently needs help in receiving reports of the CW beacon signal on 435.635 MHz because Knacksat will send the CW beacon signal when the solar cell panel receives enough sunlight to charge the battery. Hence, there may be a signal from the CW beacon with power of just 10-100 mW from the satellite at any time. The Knacksat team has prepared rewards for anyone who sends them details with a signal report received from Knacksat including QSL cards, Knacksat shirts, etc. Anyone who copies the satellite should please send an email to knacksat ＠ gmail.com or enter a report at: https://knacksat-26d23.firebaseapp.com. Since the satellite was launched about one month ago only two persons have received the CW beacon. The signal has been very weak such that the CW could not be fully copied and the telemetry could not be fully decoded. Therefore, they urgently request operators to study the information below and email knacksat ＠ gmail.com if they are able to help: 1. The need is for an amateur radio station with an EME-capable antenna. The UHF frequency at 435.635 MHz requires an antenna with very high gain to receive the very weak CW beacon signal. 2. The need is also for a station so equipped to try to send an MP3 sound file to change the uplink VHF frequency. This will wake up the satellite from the Safe Mode. If any AMSAT member knows of anyone who can help please contact the Knacksat team as quickly as possible. Tanan adds, "Thank you for helping the satellites of Thailand. In the near future and not later than the second quarter of 2019 JAISAT-1 (Joint Academy for Intelligent Satellites for Amateur Radio of Thailand) will be launched and we will keep you informed of progress with further news." Details can be found at http://www.knacksat.space/ [ANS thanks Tanan Rungseeprom, HS1JAN, JAISAT 1 Satellite Project Manager for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- NEXUS Launch Update Japan conducted its first launch of 2019 Friday, using a Epsilon rocket to launch seven satellites into orbit, including NEXUS. The Epsilon lifted off from the Uchinoura Space Centre at 00:50 UTC. Nihon University?s NEXUS satellite is a single-unit CubeSat equipped with a camera and an amateur radio transponder. The satellite?s objective is to demonstrate its amateur radio system, which is anticipated to allow a faster relay of data than comparable existing satellites. Initial reception reports were received by NP4JV, OK2GZ, F5YG, PA0DLO and PT9KK. The latest known reception reports indicate that NEXUS is object 43933, 2019-003B and its downlink is 437.0732 MHz. Its linear transponder and data frequencies are: Uplink: 145.900-145.930 MHz (CW/LSB) Downlink: 435.880-435.910 MHz (CW/USB) CW/Data: 435.900 MHz & 437.075 MHz Callsign: JS1YAV [ANS thanks Jarda, JA1OGZ and nasaspaceflight.com for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- OrigamiSat-1 5.8Ghz CubeSat Launch Status OrigamiSat-1 (3U CubeSat, JS1YAX) developed by Tokyo Institute of Technology was also launched with NEXUS on January 18, 2019. It has a 500 km sun synchronous orbit. The main purposes of this satellite are: - Technology acquisition of high-speed data downlink in 5.8GHz band from a satellite to ground stations - On orbit demonstration for deployment of a membrane with SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) antenna. The downlink frequencies are: 437.505MHz (20K0F2D (1200bps) and 500HA1A) (Constant use) 5.840GHz (420KF1D (115kbps)) (Emission will be scheduled) The expected TLE will be almost same as NEXUS since OrigamiSat-1 will be deployed from 100sec earlier than NEXUS. The detail of the mission and telemetry format are available at: http://www.origami.titech.ac.jp/ [ANS thanks Hiroki Nakanishi, JQ1YCZ and the Tokyo Institute of Technology for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members will receive a free digital copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program To help celebrate 50 years of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space, AMSAT is proud to announce the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program. Throughout 2019, your satellite and HF QSOs can help you achieve one of these special awards. A summary of the three awards are as follows: + 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (Limited Edition) Unlike the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award will be issued on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certificates and signed by AMSAT's founding President, Perry Klein, K3TJE (now W3PK). With only 20 original certificates available, this award will certainly become a collector's item. The first 20 applicants to successfully submit 20 confirmed, qualifying contacts made after March 3, 2019 on any satellite will receive this award. + 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award To achieve this award, you must work 50 amateur radio operators on any satellite during 2019. + AMSAT on HF 50th Anniversary Award To achieve this award, you must work at least one AMSAT Member on any HF band, on any mode. Complete information on the specific requirements to earn these awards can be found at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT-NA VP of User Services for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Fox-1 CubeSat Model Kits Available This exciting model is printed in color on heavy stock paper and includes all components. The instructions are carefully prepared to allow for easy assembly requiring scissors, glue etc. The completed model will be a perfect addition to any satellite operator's shack, and a chance to show visitors what is being done by AMSAT today. All proceeds will go to supporting AMSAT's satellite projects. The price is $40 plus shipping. Order yours today at: https://www.amsat.org/product/fox-1-cubesat-model/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ CubeSat Postdoc Job Opening at University of Arizona The University of Arizona (UA) Department of Astronomy and Steward Observatory (SO) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with Dr. Ewan Douglas on space astrophysics instrumentation and high contrast observational astronomy. Candidates with particular interests or experience in any of the following areas are encouraged to apply: - Astronomy and planetary science instrumentation in space, such as small/nano-satellites and sounding rockets, - Laboratory testing and simulation of coronagraphic systems for high contrast imaging of exoplanets and debris disks, - CubeSat mission design and operations, - Reduction and analysis of coronagraphic observations of debris disks. Candidates should have a PhD in astronomy, planetary science, physics, optical or aerospace engineering, or a closely related field. The position will provide opportunities for outreach and student engagement, and applicants with experience or interest in outreach are encouraged to apply. Experience contributing to open source hardware and software projects is also desirable. A new interdisciplinary SmallSat initiative at the UA includes construction of integration and test facilities as well as a CubeSat ground station. UA/SO offers a world-class research environment in ground and space-based astrophysics with strong interdisciplinary programs across the Departments of Astronomy, Physics, Planetary Sciences, and the UA Data Science Institute. Steward Observatory provides direct access to various world-class facilities for ground- based radio and optical observing. Among these are the Large Binocular Telescope and 6.5m aperture telescopes located in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Recent PhDs with experience building a CubeSat payload are strongly encouraged to apply to this flexible position. This position is expected to last up to 2 years starting fall 2019. To apply, go to https://uacareers.com/postings/search and apply to Posting Number P20717. [ANS thanks the University of Arizona for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- CubeSat Training Offered April 23-25, 2019 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo has announced a training course it will be hosting shortly after the 2019 CubeSat Developers Workshop. Persons interested in learning more about CubeSat development, mission success, and connecting with experienced individuals are encouraged to attend. Information on what will be covered in the training is available at: http://www.cubesat.org/workshop-information/ If you are interested in attending the workshop or have questions, send an email to: cubesat-workshop ＠ calpoly.edu. February 1, 2019 is the deadline to inform them of your interest. [ANS thanks CubeSat for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Launches Announced The International Amateur Radio Union has announced approved frequency coordination for the following satellites: + CAS-7A A Micro satellite 750L x 650W x 260H mm with a mass of 27 kg with the following highlights: - H/T Linear Transponder - H/U Linear Transponder - HF CW Telemetry Beacon - V/U Linear Transponder - V/U FM Transponder - UHF CW Telemetry Beacon - UHF AX.25 4.8k/9.6kbps GMSK Telemetry - 3cm AX.25 1Mbps GMSK Image data transmission - On board camera - 3-axis stabilization system - Planning a launch on April 5th 2019 from Jiuquan into a 400x320km 42.7 degree inclination orbit. - Sponsor: Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) + CAS-7B A spheriform spacecraft of 500 mm diameter with a mass of 3kg with the following highlights: - UHF CW Telemetry Beacon - V/U FM Transponder - Spinning stabilization - Planning a launch on April 5th 2019 from Jiuquan into a 400x320km 42.7 degree inclination orbit. - Sponsor: Chinese Amateur Satellite Group (CAMSAT) + TTU101 A 1U cubesat with the following highlights: - Remote sensing in visible and IR electromagnetic spectrum - 10.450 ? 10.500 GHz high-speed data downlink operations - 435 MHz downlink with data rates up to 9k6 GFSK/GMSK - 10.45 GHZ downlink at data rates up to 20Mbs OQPSK. - Planning a launch in Q3 2019 into a SSO 500-600 km polar orbit from Vostochny launch base. - Sponsor: Tallinn University of Technology [ANS thanks the IARU and AMSAT-UK for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations + Costa Rica (EK71) ? January 19, 2019 Vic, TI2VLM will be operating from Costa Rica, grid EK71, Saturday, January 19th. Only two passes: AO-91 @ 18:03 UTC and SO-50 @ 18:56 UTC. + Marion, NC (EM85, EM95) ? January 19, 2019 Andrew, N4LAZ, will activate the EM85/EM95 gridline Saturday, January 19th. Planned passes are AO-92 at 16:24utc, AO-91 at 16:34Z, and SO-50 at 17:10Z. Watch https://twitter.com/N4LAZ for any updates. + Ocean Shores, WA (CN76, CN77) ? January 19-20, 2019 Ron, AD0DX, will activate the CN76/CN77 gridline Saturday evening until noon Sunday (PST). Based on flight arrival time, plus 2.5 hour drive, Ron expects to be on FM and linear satellite passes sometime shortly after 01:00Z, Saturday night. Check out Ron?s @ad0dx Twitter feed, https://twitter.com/ad0dx for further announcements. + Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) ? January 19-27, 2019 John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He may also visit some adjoining grids. There will likely be other hams operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ. QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE + Las Vegas NV and NW AZ (DM25, DM26, DM36) ? January 20-22, 2019 David, AD7DB, will be in Las Vegas at DM25/26 line, operating on FM satellites on a holiday schedule. In addition, weather permitting, sometime on Monday, January 21, 201919 he will make a side trip to Beaver Dam AZ to activate from DM36aw. Updates will be on Twitter as the time approaches: https://twitter.com/ad7db + Labrador (GO11) ? January 23-25, 2019 VE3FU, VO1HP, and VE9CB will be participating in the CQ160 CW Contest from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (GO11), which will be held January 25, 2200Z ? January 27, 2200Z, 2019. This is important, because, if time permits they will be active on AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92 passes before the contest. Call signs are expected to be VO2AC and VO2AAA. Note: this is preliminary information. Keep your eye on https://twitter.com/chrisve3fu and https://www.qrz.com/db/vo2ac for possible updates. + Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) ? February 3, ? March 29, 2019 Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3 until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be posted on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc. + Texas (DM80, DM70,DM71, DL79, DL90) February 10-14, 2019 Clayton, W5PFG will be operating satellites daily in vacation-mode from grid DM80. He will also operate a few passes from grids DM70, DM71, DL79, and DL89. Those specific passes will be advertised on Twitter @w5pfg. You don't need to be a Twitter user to see his feed. Just visit http://www.twitter.com/w5pfg to see his Tweets. + Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) ? February 8-11, 2019 Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning a joint roving trip to Nevada, February 8-11, 2019. Planned activations include the DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday evening. This will be FM only. All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon return. Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes at https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs.fi KI7UNJ-7. + Isla del Culebra, Puerto Rico (FK78) ? February 22-24, 2019 Radio Opordores del Este, KP3RE, is preparing for their Culebra IOTA (NA-249) Expedition 2019. Satellite operations are planned for AO-91, AO-92, SO-50, and IO-86. + Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) ? February 28 ? March 9, 2019 Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM activity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb. [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS News + Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule as of January 15, 2019 Ashbury College Junior School, Ottawa, ON, Canada, telebridge via VK5ZAI. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI. Contact is go for: Wed 2019-01-23 19:51:36 UTC 22 degrees. + ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 108 + On January 12th, A half hour phone contact was arranged by ARISS between astronaut Mike Fossum and boys and girls attending the 25th Australian Scout Jamboree held at The Bend race track in southern Australia. Fifteen scouts from the camp engaged Fossum in questions about his flights into space. At the camp were over 8,500 scouts and 1,500 leaders, and an additional 3,000 parents, family and junior scouts allowed to visit just for that day. Audio of the event was carried over the British Amateur TV Club online streaming system and was sent to the Internet Radio Linking Project (IRLP) and to EchoLink for distribution to the ham radio community and also to a local FM radio station for broadcast. [ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N and ARISS for the above information.] +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio. For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit: https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9 +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Satellite Shorts from All Over + AMSAT Office Closed January 21, 2019 The AMSAT Office will be closed on Monday, January 21 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day. [ANS thanks Martha Saragovitz for the above information.] + Es?hail-2 NB and WB IOT testing continues A lot of stations in the footprint of Es?hail-2 (P4-A) have noticed that the Narrow Band (NB) transponder and the Wide Band (WB) transponder has been activated again, clearly visible on the transponder noise. AMSAT-DL would like to remind again: NO UPLINK OF SIGNALS PERMITTED! This is still part of the official testing by MELCO engineers before the transponder will be officially handed over to Es?hailSat and QARS. MELCO is performing some passive tests for noise pedestal measurements and profiling of the transponder characteristics, similar to the ones performed in late December at the 24°E position. Meanwhile Es?hail-2 reached his final position at 25.9°E. [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.] + DL50AMSAT To mark the 50th anniversary of AMSAT, Federal Network Agency has allocated the call sign DL50AMSAT to AMSAT Germany for 1 year. Under this call sign amateur radio AMSAT-DL will be active via satellite over and over again. Also, the P4-A ground station at AMSAT-DL headquarters in Bochum will use the DL50AMSAT call sign. Check QRZ.com for operational announcements. QSL's eQSL are preferred.. [ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information.] + EQUIsat Online SatNOg Decoder This website allows you to decode receptions of Brown Space Engineering's first satellite, EQUiSat by providing either an audio file or specifying a SatNOGS satellite observation to decode. You then receive an email with any data decoded from the transmission. You can also automatically submit that data to their database and have your reception posted on Twitter. Complete information at: https://decoder.brownspace.org/ [ANS thanks Brown Space Engineering for the above information.] + Knacksat Antenna Deployment Test Video A four minute video of testing the Knacksat antenna deployment can be viewed at: https://www.facebook.com/knacksat/videos/818456401588168/ [ANS thanks Tanan Rungseeprom, HS1JAN, JAISAT 1 Satellite Project Manager for the above information.] + MySat-1 Opened Up Opportunities for UAE Youth in Space An interesting article in the Gulf News newsletter describes how the building of MySat-1 by 20 graduate students has inspired youth in the United Arab Emirates. Read the article at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-20-MySat-1 [ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information.] + ICOM IC-9700 Previewed in UK Icom UK has been fortunate to have had an engineering sample of the IC-9700 VHF/UHF SDR Transceiver to evaluate for a short time. Read some comments and watch a video overview at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-20-IC-9700 [ANS thanks Southgate Amateur Radio News 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 ＠ 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 _______________________________________________ Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans From mxl01506 ＠ nifty.ne.jp Sat Jan 26 15:44:29 2019 From: mxl01506 ＠ nifty.ne.jp (=?ISO-2022-JP?B?GyRCQmdDKyEhSyc9PBsoQg==?=) Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 15:44:29 +0900 (JST) Subject: [jamsat-news:3587] =?iso-2022-jp?b?SkFNU0FUGyRCQW0ycTVaJFMbKEJKQU1TQVQbJEIlNyVzGyhC?= =?iso-2022-jp?b?GyRCJV0lOCUmJWAzKzpFJE4kNDBGRmIbKEI=?= Message-ID: <1006546911.166541548485069395.mxl01506@nifty.ne.jp> 皆さん、こんにちは。 　JAMSAT Newsletter291号で案内しておりますが、JAMSAT第11回総会及びシンポジウムの 開催について、以下のとおり計画しています。昨年のPhase4(Es'hail-2)の打ち上げに続き、 新年早々、JAMSATと日大で共同開発したCubesat(NEXUS)も無事に打ち上げられ、現在順調な 飛行を続けています。総会・シンポジウムは、こうした大イベントのなかで開催されます。 　今回は、2年ぶりに京都嵯峨野での開催となります。ぜひ早春の京都観光がてら多数お越 し下さいますよう、ご案内申し上げます。 日時：2019年3月16日(土)PM 〜 17日(日)AM 会場：ホテルビナリオ嵯峨嵐山 　　　〒616-8327　京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺広道3-4 　 　TEL:075-871-9711　FAX:075-871-9713 懇親会：初日(16日)の夕方より、会場内にて懇親会(会費5,000円程度)を予定しております。 参加を希望される方は、会場準備の都合上、懇親会参加希望の旨、3月1日(金)までにメール で、担当の石原さん jh3bum(あっと)gmail.com 宛てに直接申し込んでいただくか、後ほど お送りする出欠確認の葉書に記入のうえ、3月1日（金)必着にて投函していただきますよう、 よろしくお願いします。 (1)会場への交通機関について ?JR嵯峨野(山陰)線 嵯峨嵐山駅 南出口すぐ （JR京都駅から6駅目、所要時間11〜16分/快速停車） ?嵐電(京福電鉄)嵐山本線 嵐電嵯峨駅 徒歩3分 ?京都市バス・京都バス 嵯峨嵐山駅前バス停 徒歩3分 　　　　　　　　　　　　　または、角倉町バス停・野々宮バス停 徒歩7分 　?円町より、車で約20分 ※宿泊等については、直接ホテルビナリオ嵯峨嵐山まで、お問い合わせ下さい。 (2)講演の募集について 　今回のシンポジウムでの講演内容等につきましては、現在まだ調整中の段階ですが、 　Phase 4 Ground Projectに携わるW5NYV/Michelleさんを講師に招き、GNU-Radioを中心 　としたシステム構築について講演を予定しています。また、併せてこれらに関連する 　SDR技術をテーマにした講演及び演習も予定しています。 　その他、まだ講演については調整中ですので、何か発表をご希望の方がございましたら、 　お早や目にJAMSAT受付窓口：madoguchi ＠ jamsat.or.jp　まで、お申し出下さいますよう、 　よろしくお願い致します。 2019.1.26　JH4DHX/3　大谷 From ans ＠ amsat.org Sun Jan 27 07:36:21 2019 From: ans ＠ amsat.org (Mark D. Johns via ANS) Date: Sat, 26 Jan 2019 16:36:21 -0600 Subject: [jamsat-news:3588] [ans] ANS-027 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins Message-ID: AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-027 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: * OrigamiSat-1 Requests Help for Testing 5.84 GHz Downlink * OrigamiSat-1 Reception Challenges * AO-85 Operations Re-Started - Telemetry Requested * ARISS TV Transmitter Back on Earth for Inspection, Possible Repair * ARISS Officers Elected * Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule * Limited ISS SSTV Scheduled for January 30 - February 1 * Registration Open for "VHF Super Conference" * AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program * Upcoming Satellite Operations * NASA Administrator Addresses Furloughed Employees * Australia’s First Commercial Launch Facility to be Built * India Will Fly 100 Student Satellites * Satellite Shorts From All Over SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-027.01 ANS-027 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins AMSAT News Service Bulletin 027.01 >From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD. DATE 2019-January-27 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-027.01 OrigamiSat-1 Requests Help for Testing 5.84 GHz Downlink The OrigamiSat-1 Team is requesting suitably equipped ground stations to participate in receiving the 5.84GHz telemetry downlink from their CubeSat. The satellite transmits on the same frequency with FITSAT-1, Niwaka sat, which were launched in 2013 by Fukuoka Inst. Tech. in Japan. The team added, "Although our satellite suffers from reset problem, we hope that we will start testing 5.8 GHz early in the week of January. 28. First we will test it only above Japan, and see whether we can do it outside Japan also. Please stay tuned!" [ANS thanks the OrigamiSat-1 for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- OrigamiSat-1 Reception Challenges Tracking Origamisat-1 is a real challenge. It is a LEO, so is only visible for 10-15 minutes depending on the pass. The challenge is not only tracking the satellite both AZ and EL with a dish that has maybe 3-5 degree beamwidth, but the Doppler can run a little over ±100 kHz. The 5.84 GHz downlink is 420KF1D 115kbps. It transmits for 10 secs and is then off for 5 secs and then repeats. In 2012, N1JEZ was able to detect a similar satellite, NIWAKA, using a portable 5.760 GHz rig. That rig consisted of a 2' dish with my DEMI 5760 transverter and for an IF, a Funcube Dongle SDR tuned to 224.000 MHz. The original Funcube only had 96 kHz bandwidth, but he will use a Funcube Pro+ for OrigamiSat, which has 196 kHz bandwidth. This should minimize tuning during the pass. N1JEZ would like to be in touch with others who may be attempting to track OrigamiSat-1 to coordinate efforts. [ANS thanks the N1JEZ for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- AO-85 Operations Re-Started - Telemetry Requested As of 1324Z on January 26, control operator N8MH reported via Twitter that AO-85 has been returned to transponder mode, but will likely be switching in and out of safe mode. The satellite is open for use as power permits. AO-85 entered a period of low-voltage on its batteries in December, 2018 and has been off the air to allow undisturbed recharging of its batteries. On January 23, AMSAT VP Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, wrote: "We are trying to get AO-85 back in repeater mode, but it's resetting. We could use as much telemetry as possible please." The Data-Under-Voice (DUV) telemetry is decoded and uploaded to the Fox Data Warehouse with the Fox Telem software available on the AMSAT web: http://www.amsat.org/tlm/leaderboard.php?id=0&db=FOXDB Stations not equipped to receive and decode the telemetry can monitor the latest reports at: http://www.amsat.org/tlm/health.php?id=1&port= [ANS thanks N8MH and AMSAT VP Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS TV Transmitter Back on Earth for Inspection, Possible Repair The malfunctioning Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) “HamTV” transmitter now is back on Earth for repair or replacement, and it likely won’t be until sometime in 2020 at the earliest that Amateur Radio TV (DATV) capability will be restored to the orbiting laboratory. Onboard repair was not possible. Also known as “Ham Video,” the DATV system transmissions were not seen by ARISS ground stations as of last April, and a subsequent test using a second L/S band patch antenna on the ISS Columbus module failed. The DATV transmitter since February 2016 has served to provide a visual dimension to ARISS school and group ham radio events. Late last year, the ISS crew packed the HamTV unit and stowed it on the SpaceX-16 Dragon vehicle, which undocked and departed from the ISS on January 13. The HamTV unit returned to Earth when Dragon success- fully splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, the first nighttime splash- down and recovery of a Dragon vehicle. ARISS Ham Project Coordinator Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, told those attending the January ARISS meeting that the HamTV unit would be processed and sent to NASA’s Johnson Space Center. In time, ARISS will coordinate shipment of the unit to Kayser-Italia, which built the transmitter, where it will undergo a full failure investigation by ARISS, AMSAT-Italia, and the Kayser-Italia team. Depending on the outcome of the inspection, ARISS will decide the best way to move forward. ARISS expressed gratitude to NASA, CASIS, and the team working with NASA Ham Payload Integration Manager Mitch Polt for organizing the return of the unit. Given various handling protocols, the unit is not expected to be received by NASA until this spring, and tests in Europe not completed until this fall. If the HamTV unit is able to be repaired or refurbished, another wait would ensue. Documentation is required 50 days before a safety certification meeting, and all must be approved 2 months prior to launch, which could take place in a little more than a year. ARISS said it also will prepare for the possibility that repairs are not feasible and be ready to move forward with a new, improved HamTV unit. [ANS thanks ARRL for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- ARISS Officers Elected ARISS-International Delegates recently held their election of ARISS- International Officers and the results are as follows: ARISS Delegates elected Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, as ARISS-International Chair; Oliver Amend, DG6BCE, as ARISS-International Vice Chair, and Rosalie White, K1STO, as ARISS-International Secretary-Treasurer for the 2019-2020 term. [ANS thanks AA4KN for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule Colégio Campo de Flores, Almada, Portugal, direct via CS5SS The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS The scheduled astronaut is David St-Jacques KG5FYI Contact is go for: Sat 2019-02-02 15:23:19 UTC Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Konenenko Contact is go for Tue 2019-02-05 08:25 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 As of the end of 2018, ARISS has facilitated a total of 1228 contacts between the International Space Station and schools on earth! [ANS thanks AJ9N for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Limited ISS SSTV Scheduled for January 30 - February 1 ? Information received on the ISS Ham (@RF2Space) twitter feed on 23 Jan 2019 from Houston, TX reports that the next SSTV activa- tion from the ISS will be very limited in operational time. The ISS SSTV blog ( https://ariss-sstv.blogspot.com/ ) says that Inter-MAI (Moscow Aviation Institute) will be conducting their SSTV experiment from January 30 - February 1. It appears from the scheduling that the experiment will only be active during a couple of orbits that overfly Moscow instead of a continuous operation. Rough time periods of activation appear to fall between the hours of 13:00 - 19:00 UTC. Activity should occur on the traditional 145.800 MHz downlink. Captured images can be posted at: https://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php [ANS thanks Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Registration Open for "VHF Super Conference" Registration is now open for the 2019 VHF Super Conference to be held April 26-28, 2019 at the Holiday Inn Washington-Dulles International Airport in Sterling, VA. The conference is sponsored by Southeastern VHF Society, North East Weak Signal Group and the Mt. Airy VHF Radio Club, and is hosted by the Grid Pirates Contest Group and Directive Systems and Engineering. Complete information is at http://vhfsuperconference.com/ --------------------------------------------------------------------- AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ For a limited time, new and renewing AMSAT members will receive a free digital copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Join or renew your AMSAT membership today at https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ To help celebrate 50 years of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space, AMSAT is proud to announce the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program. Throughout 2019, your satellite and HF QSOs can help you achieve one of these special awards. A summary of the three awards are as follows: + 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (Limited Edition) Unlike the AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Communications Achievement Award will be issued on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certificates and signed by AMSAT's founding President, Perry Klein, K3TJE (now W3PK). With only 20 original certificates available, this award will certainly become a collector's item. The first 20 applicants to successfully submit 20 confirmed, qualifying contacts made after March 3, 2019 on any satellite will receive this award. + 50th Anniversary AMSAT Satellite Friends of 50 Award To achieve this award, you must work 50 amateur radio operators on any satellite during 2019. + AMSAT on HF 50th Anniversary Award To achieve this award, you must work at least one AMSAT Member on any HF band, on any mode. Complete information on the specific requirements to earn these awards can be found at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/ +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Fox-1 CubeSat Model Kits Available This exciting model is printed in color on heavy stock paper and includes all components. The instructions are carefully prepared to allow for easy assembly requiring scissors, glue etc. The completed model will be a perfect addition to any satellite operator's shack, and a chance to show visitors what is being done by AMSAT today. All proceeds will go to supporting AMSAT's satellite projects. The price is $40 plus shipping. Order yours today at: https://www.amsat.org/product/fox-1-cubesat-model/ [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT-NA VP of User Services for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Upcoming Satellite Operations + Quartzfest Arizona (DM23) ? January 19-27, 2019 John, N7JY, will be operating FM satellites on a holiday schedule. He may also visit some adjoining grids. There will likely be other hams operating from the event, located a few miles south of Quartzsite AZ. QSL via LOTW, or you can send your card with SASE + Labrador (GO11) ? January 23-25, 2019 VE3FU, VO1HP, and VE9CB will be participating in the CQ160 CW Contest from the Point Amour Lighthouse in Labrador (GO11), which will be held January 25, 2200Z ? January 27, 2200Z, 2019. This is important, because, if time permits they will be active on AO-85, AO-91, and AO-92 passes before the contest. Call signs are expected to be VO2AC and VO2AAA. Note: this is preliminary information. Keep your eye on https://twitter.com/chrisve3fu and https://www.qrz.com/db/vo2ac for possible updates. + Nevis Island (FM87) - January 25 - February 6 Mel, W8MV reports that he will be active on the FM satellites, SO-50, AO-91 and AO-92 as V4/W8MV. + Eureka Nunavut (ER60, EQ79) ? February 3, ? March 29, 2019 Eureka ARC, VY0ERC, will be QRV from Eureka, NU (NA-008), February 3 until March 29, 2019. Time and weather permitting, they expect to be on the FM satellites from ER60 and EQ79. Announcements will be posted on Twitter at https://twitter.com/vy0erc. + Texas (DM80, DM70,DM71, DL79, DL90) February 10-14, 2019 Clayton, W5PFG will be operating satellites daily in vacation-mode from grid DM80. He will also operate a few passes from grids DM70, DM71, DL79, and DL89. Those specific passes will be advertised on Twitter @w5pfg. You don't need to be a Twitter user to see his feed. Just visit http://www.twitter.com/w5pfg to see his Tweets. + Nevada (DM15, DM16, DM17, DM18, DM25, DM26, DM27, DM28, DM37, DM36) ? February 8-11, 2019 Casey KI7UNJ and Jonathan KI5BEX are planning a joint roving trip to Nevada, February 8-11, 2019. Planned activations include the DM15/16/25/26 grid corner Friday morning, the DM16/26 gridline Friday afternoon, DM17/18 gridline Saturday morning, DM27/28 gridline Saturday evening, DM27/37 gridline Sunday morning, and DM36/37 gridline Sunday evening. This will be FM only. All contacts uploaded to LoTW upon return. Check out @KI7UNJ Twitter feed for specific passes at https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ and follow them on aprs.fi KI7UNJ-7. + Isla del Culebra, Puerto Rico (FK78) ? February 22-24, 2019 Radio Opordores del Este, KP3RE, is preparing for their Culebra IOTA (NA-249) Expedition 2019. Satellite operations are planned for AO-91, AO-92, SO-50, and IO-86. + Turks and Caicos Islands (FL31) ? February 28 ? March 9, 2019 Adrian, AA5UK, will be heading to Providenciales in the Turks and Caicos Islands from Feb 28th through March 9th, 2019. He will be operating holiday style on HF and Satellites as VP5/AA5UK from grid FL31UU14. Focus will be on the linear satellites, with some FM activity depending on pile-up civility. Hope to work some European stations as location favors the East. Pass announcements will be made via Twitter: https://twitter.com/AA5UK and periodically via amsat-bb. [ANS thanks KE4AL and KO4MA for the above information.] --------------------------------------------------------------------- NASA Administrator Addresses Furloughed Employees NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine has released an internal memo to employees and contractors affected by the current partial government shut-down. Bridenstine wrote to explain the legal requirement for additional furlough notices made necessary because the shut-down has extended beyond the initial 30-day notification. He added words of encourage- ment to those going without pay. "I want you to know how much I appreciate your patience and commitment during this unique time in American history. I understand this furlough is a real hardship for many of you and while civil servants will eventually receive back pay, the situation is not as clear for many of our family members in the contracting community. We are work- ing with procurement and contracting officers to mitigate the impacts for you as we all look forward to the ultimate resolution of this lapse in appropriations. "The hard work of both our civil servants and contractors is deeply appreciated. You are performing with incredible focus and determina- tion to ensure the safety of the crew on the International Space Station and the continued safe operations of our missions in space and in development here on the ground," Bridenstine wrote. While many NASA employees are idle, those involved in the support of critical systems, such as ISS crew support, are working without pay during the shutdown. [ANS thanks http://www.spaceref.com for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Australia’s First Commercial Launch Facility to be Built Southern Launch will begin developing the infrastructure to deploy nanosatellites from the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia. Called the Whalers Way Orbital Launch Complex, the 2940-acre site is approx- imately 185 miles northwest of Adelaide and 300 miles south of Woomera, the Australian military launch site. The company hopes to begin construction early in 2019 and operational by the end of the year. Southern Launch will target rockets with pay- loads between 50kg and 400kg, like Rocket Lab’s Electron, that carry microsatellites into polar or sun synchronous orbits. Full article at https://tinyurl.com/y8kyp3p9 [ANS thanks The Lead South Australia editor Jim Plouffe for the above information] --------------------------------------------------------------------- India Will Fly 100 Student Satellites The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will select over 100 students from across India and give them a practical experience of how satellites are built under the new "Young Scientist Programme." The initiative, intended to arouse interest in this arena of science and engineering, is patterned on a similar program run by NASA in the U.S. Six incubation centers will be established in various parts of India, and students will be able to use these centers for R&D purposes. The first such center has been established in the state of Tripura, in the eastern part of India. [Full article at https://tinyurl.com/yd5uwxnq] --------------------------------------------------------------------- Satellite Shorts From All Over + JAMSAT just released a YouTube video about their NEXUS cubesat at https://www.youtube.com/embed/u40gwM2lUPw and images of NEXUS at http://sat.aero.cst.nihon-u.ac.jp/nexus/E3_SatImages.html (JAMSAT on facebook) + The IARU has launched a new web page highlighting those satellites that have had their request for Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination DECLINED: http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/declined.php (AMSAT-UK via Twitter) + ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now worked with students in more than 100 schools: Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 135 Francesco IKØWGF with 132 Gaston ON4WF with 123 Sergey RV3DR with 108 (via AJ9N) + One of Orbcomm’s first-generation satellites broke up Dec. 22, resulting in 34 trackable objects, according to the U.S. Air Force’s 18th Space Control Squadron. Orbcomm says the company is still investigating the cause of the breakup, and that the damaged OG1 satellite was no longer providing service. More than 90 percent of Orbcomm’s communications traffic goes through its newer OG2 satellites launched in 2014 and 2015. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information) + A celebration of life was held on January 22 in Tucson, AZ in memory of long-time AMSAT member Larry Brown, W7LB. Larry was one of the net control stations for the AMSAT 20 meter international net on 14.282 MHz Sundays at 1900z. (ANS thanks W2RS for the above information) + A story about a group of students in Kolkata listening in on an ISS pass was featured in the Times of India, one of the world's largest circulation newspapers, on January 23. The article may be found at https://tinyurl.com/yarm34jc + The CBS program, "60 Minutes" will air a segment on small satellites this Sunday, January 27. Preview at https://tinyurl.com/y7lfe7o9 --------------------------------------------------------------------- /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 _______________________________________________ Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans