AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-160
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat.org.
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In this edition:
- AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites
- Final Call for Nominations – AMSAT Board of Directors
- AMSAT President Awarded Russian E.T. Krenkel Medal
- 37th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium, October 18-20, 2019
- Dollar-for-Dollar Match on your ARISS Donation Thru June 17, 2019
- AO-85 Back in Operation
- VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 2019
- 2019 Edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites Available
- Upcoming Satellite Operations
- CAMSAT Announces Upcoming Launch of CAS-7B
- Satellite Shorts From All Over
AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites
Most hams know about the ARRL Field Day event each June, and most who have participated in an ARRL Field Day in recent years are aware that a satellite contact will gain 100 bonus points for a participating station. However, all may not be aware that there is a parallel event sponsored by AMSAT that is geared exclusively to satellite operation.
The AMSAT Field Day 2019 event is open to all Amateur Radio operators. Amateurs are to use the exchange as specified in ARRL rules for Field Day. The AMSAT competition is to encourage the use of all amateur satellites, both analog and digital.
Note that no points will be credited for any contacts beyond the ONE allowed via each single-channel FM satellite. Operators are encouraged not to make any extra contacts via theses satellites (Ex: SO-50).
CW contacts and digital contacts are worth three points. Satellite digipeat QSO’s and APRS short-message contacts are worth three points each, but must be complete verified two-way exchanges. The one contact per FM satellite is not applied to digital transponders.
The use of terrestrial gateway stations or internet gateways (i.e. EchoLink, IRLP, etc.) to uplink/downlink is not allowed. Complete rules and scoring details may be found at: https://www.amsat.org/field-day/
Certificates will be awarded for the first-place emergency power/portable station at the AMSAT General Meeting and Space Symposium in the fall of 2019. Certificates will also be awarded to the second and third place portable/emergency operation in addition to the first-place home station running on emergency power. A station submitting high, award-winning scores will be requested to send in dupe sheets for analog contacts and message listings for digital downloads.
You may have multiple rig difficulties, antenna failures, computer glitches, generator disasters, tropical storms, and there may even be satellite problems, but the goal is to test your ability to operate in an emergency situation. Try different gear. Demonstrate satellite operations to hams that don’t even know the HAMSATS exist. Test your equipment. Avoid making more than ONE contact via the FM-only voice HAMSATS or the ISS, and enjoy the event!
[ANS thanks AMSAT/KK5DO for the above information]
2019 marks AMSAT’s 50th Anniversary of Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
To help celebrate, we are sponsoring the AMSAT 50th Anniversary Awards Program.
Full details are available at: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-50th-anniversary-awards-program/
Final Call for Nominations – AMSAT Board of Directors
It’s time to submit nominations for the upcoming AMSAT Board of Directors election. Four directors’ terms expire this year: those of Jerry Buxton, N0JY; Clayton Coleman, W5PFG; Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA; and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM. In addition, up to two Alternates may be elected for one-year terms.
A valid nomination requires either one Member Society or five current individual members in good standing to nominate an AMSAT member for Director. Written nominations, consisting of the nominee’s name and call, and the nominating individuals’ names, calls and individual signatures should be mailed to:
AMSAT
10605 CONCORD ST STE 304
KENSINGTON MD 20895-2526
In addition to traditional submissions of written nominations, which is the preferred method, the intent to nominate someone may be made by electronic means. These include e-mail, fax, or electronic image of a petition. Electronic petitions should be sent to martha at amsat.org or faxed to +1-301-822-4371.
No matter what means is used, petitions MUST arrive at the AMSAT office no later than June 15th. If the nomination is a traditional written nomination, no other action is required. If electronic means are used, a verifying traditional written petition MUST be received at the AMSAT office within 7 days following the close of nominations on June 15th.
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS WITHOUT THIS SECOND, WRITTEN VERIFICATION ARE NOT VALID UNDER THE EXISTING AMSAT BYLAWS.
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information]
AMSAT relies on your donations to Keep Amateur Radio in Space.
Please consider a one-time or recurring donation today at:
https://www.amsat.org/donate/
37th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium, October 18-20, 2019
AMSAT has announced that the 2019 37th Annual AMSAT Space Symposium and General Meeting will be held on Friday through Sunday, October 18-20, 2019, in Arlington, Virginia. The location will be The Hilton Arlington, 950 North Stafford Street, Arlington, Virginia, 22203.
The Hilton Arlington is located in the heart of the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington, VA. Connected to the Ballston Metro Station, the hotel offers easy and effortless access to Washington D.C.’s top tourist destinations like the National Mall, Smithsonian Museums and historical monuments. The hotel is six miles from Reagan National Airport and the National Mall.
The AMSAT Board of Director’s Meeting will be held just before the Symposium, October 16-17, at the same hotel.
The current plan includes tours of Washington D.C./Baltimore area on Sunday and Monday, October 20-21. The banquet speakers will celebrate AMSAT’s long history, and an OSCAR Park display also is planned, so please plan join us for the 50th Anniversary Symposium — you would be glad you did.
You can make hotel reservations by calling the hotel directly at 703-528-6000. The group name is AMSAT, Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
A link for online reservations will be posted at a later date. Symposium and banquet tickets will be available for purchase on the AMSAT store in July.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
Dollar-for-Dollar Match on your ARISS Donation Thru June 17, 2019
During the ARISS Forum at the Hamvention, it was announced, that between now and June 17, that an anonymous donor will equally match one dollar for each dollar donated up to $10,000.
Here is an excellent opportunity to get the most from your donations to the ARISS FundRazr. The FundRazr Project was initiated to raise $150,000 towards the ARISS Radio Upgrade on ISS. To date 90 contributors have donated $24,840 to the campaign, about 17% of the goal. $10,000 of your dollars, donated now, will raise that total to $44,840, including the matching funds. It would be great if we could actually achieve one-third of our goal ($50,000) by mid-June. Please donate today at: https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_6ruVeeeNzOa6ruVeeeNzOa
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]
AMSAT President Awarded Russian E.T. Krenkel Medal
AMSAT President and ARRL Life Member Joe Spier, K6WAO, has been awarded the Russian E.T. Krenkel Medal, a prestigious award granted to individuals and organizations for outstanding global contributions to Amateur Radio.
Joe Spier, K6WAO is a long time supporter of Amateur Radio in Space and international cooperation. K6WAO is the President of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT). He has also served AMSAT as Executive Vice President, and Vice President, Educational Relations.
He is a long term supporter of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) and scientific, technical, engineering, and mathematics education. Spier is an AMSAT Life Member. He also is a Life Member of American Radio Relay League (ARRL) and the Society of Amateur Radio Astronomers (SARA).
The award’s namesake, Ernst Teodorovich Krenkel, was a radio amateur who, over the years, used the call signs RAEM, U3AA, and UA3AA. Born in Poland, Krenkel was an Arctic explorer who took part in the first Soviet “drifting station,” North Pole-1. He was made a “Hero of the Soviet Union” in 1938 for his exploits.
Krenkel’s son, T.E. Krenkel, is among the four signatories to the award certificate. The younger Krenkel, a professor at the Moscow Technical College of Telecommunication and Informatics, said his father was an avid radio amateur who served as the first chairman of the Central Radio Club in the USSR.
Krenkel’s image appears on postage stamps from the USSR and Russia, and he authored a biography entitled My Callsign is RAEM. In the era when all radio amateurs received QSL cards via Box 88, Moscow, Krenkel was allowed to have his own postal address on his QSLs and was issued the non-standard RAEM call sign.
Information about the Krenkel Medal can be found at: http://krenkelmedal.org/index.php?id=49
[ANS thanks the Russian National Academy of Researches and Discoveries for the above information]
AO-85 Back in Operation
AO-85 is almost back in full sun. It was commanded on at about 1200Z on Friday morning, June 7. The repeater is on, but so far no DUV telemetry, so IHU must not be working. Also, repeater isn’t dropping between uplinks as it should in this mode. But it has been left on, so users should feel free to use while you can. Reports too please (amsat-bb) !
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations for the above information]
VUCC Awards-Endorsements for June 2019
The May-June 2019 VUCC Endorsements can viewed at: https://www.amsat.org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2019-June/073419.html
[ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN for the above information]
2019 Edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites Available
The 2019 Edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, the definitive reference for the new or experienced amateur satellite operator is now available from the AMSAT store for $25 + shipping.
This definitive reference is written for the new satellite operator by Gould Smith, WA4SXM, but includes discussions for the experienced operator who wishes to review the features of amateur satellite communications. The new operator will be introduced to the basic concepts and terminology unique to this mode. Additionally, there are many practical tips and tricks to ensure making contacts, and to sound like an experienced satellite operator in the process.
Newly revised in May 2019 with information on new satellites and additional information about operating and logging satellite QSOs. It also includes information on several satellites of interest to hams expected to be launched in the coming year.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
Upcoming Satellite Operations
For latest information, see: https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/
CAMSAT Announces Upcoming Launch of CAS-7B
CAMSAT, the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group, has announced the upcoming launch of a short-life experimental sail satellite carrying an FM repeater within the next few weeks. CAS-7B ( BP-1B ) is scheduled to be launched at the end of June this year, according to a June 1 news release that has been widely disseminated.
Because of the orbital apogee and the size and mass of the satellite, the orbital life of the satellite is expected to be only one week, up to a maximum of one month, which will also provide with an opportunity for hams to track and monitor satellite entering the atmosphere.
The launch will use a new launch vehicle from a small commercial rocket company. This is the first launch of this launch vehicle, and there is a large possibility of failure. However, if successful, the satellite will send CW telemetry on 435.715 MHz. There will also be an FM crossband repeater with uplink at 145.900 MHz and downlink at 435.715 MHz.
AMSAT-UK has made the full news release available online at: https://bit.ly/2Wo78w5
[ANS thanks CAMSAT for the above information]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
- The CubeSat Standards Handbook is a summary of freely available space standards with potential application for the CubeSat domain. There is a recent version of the CubeSat Standards Handbook at: https://bit.ly/2MoDxhp (ANS thanks Artur Scholz of LibreCube Initiative for the above information)
- An article celebrating the success of the Chip-Sat swarm was published by the Standford University News service and can be seen at: https://stanford.io/2F3UhVt (ANS thanks @zacinaction on Twitter for the above information)
- There have been many questions posted recently in various social media channels concerning activity on PO-101. A schedule of PO-101 activity is posted weekly at: https://twitter.com/Diwata2PH (ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, for the above information)
- The Group for Earth Observation (GEO) aims to enable amateur reception of weather and earth imaging satellites. The GEO Newsletter weather satellite publication is available for free download at: http://www.geo-web.org.uk/geoquarterly.php (ANS thanks Southgate ARC for the above information)
- CubeSat Developers Workshop talks now available to view at: https://bit.ly/2ETUhqD (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.)
- A very good article about the cubesat simulator is posted at: https://bit.ly/2KtFdnv (ANS thanks www.rtl-sdr.com for the above information)
- An article on the advantages of using 3-D printing to create feed horns and antennas for satellite stations can be found at: http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=944589183 (ANS thanks SatMagazine.com for the above information)
- An article concerning possible changes to the 1240-1300 MHz band allocation can be found at: https://bit.ly/2IqTjDv (ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information)
- TAPR Board of Directors election results: There were 144 votes cast in the TAPR Board of Directors election, as follows:
Therefore, WA2DFI, K9TRV and W9DDD have been elected to the Board of Directors to serve three year terms. (ANS thanks Stana Horzepa, WA1LOU, TAPR Secretary for the above information)Scotty Cowling WA2DFI 133 George Byrkit K9TRV 114 John Koster W9DDD 106 Brian Rogers N1URO 61 - The RACE mission concept involves two ‘6-unit’ CubeSats that will fly together in close formation and perform close-proximity opera-ions. These will include rendezvous and docking, and the ability to perform a close flyby around uncooperative targets, such as derelict satellites. Full article at: https://bit.ly/2EWJCvI (ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information)
- The blog, “On All Bands,” has two recent posts on how to work amateur satellites. Part 1 is at: https://tinyurl.com/y6hxcujl Part 2 is at: https://tinyurl.com/y54dr8sk (ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, for the above information)
73 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
K0JM at amsat dot org