ANS-167 AMSAT News Service Bulletins for June 16

by

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-167

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.  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:

  • AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites
  • Dollar-for-Dollar Match on your ARISS Donation Ends Monday!
  • AMSAT Operations Updates AO-85 Status / AO-92 Field Day Plans
  • AMSAT Engineering Slides From Ham-Com
  • BIRDS-3 Satellites Deploy From ISS on June 17th
  • IARU Region 1 Notes WRC-23 Proposals That Impact 144-146 MHz and 1260-1270 MHz Amateur Satellite Service Bands
  • Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 13, 2019
  • How to Support AMSAT
  • Upcoming Satellite Operations
  • Satellite Shorts from All Over

 AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur   radio package,
including two-way communication capability, to  be carried on-board Gateway in
lunar orbit. Support AMSAT’s  projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

AMSAT Field Day on the Satellites

The weekend of June 22-23, 2019 is Field Day! Each year the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsors Field Day. The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) promotes our own version of Field Day focused on operation via the amateur satellites, held concurrently with the ARRL event.

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.

The congestion on FM LEO satellites is always so intense that we must continue to limit their use to one-QSO-per-FM-satellite. This includes the International Space Station. You will be allowed one QSO if the ISS is operating Voice.

Note that no points will be credited for any contacts beyond the ONE
allowed via each single-channel FM sat-llite. Operators are encouraged
NOT to make any extra  contacts via the FM satellites.

Information for the operational satellites can be found in the tables posted on-line on the AMSAT web:

AO-92 is expected to be in L/v mode for the first part of Field Day. Details are in the Operations Update article later in this issue.

An article by Sean Kutzko, KX9X, “Get on the Satellites for ARRL Field Day”, published in the June 2018 issue of QST is reprinted with the ARRL’s permission can be accessed at: https://www.amsat.org/get-on-the-satellites-for-field-day

The full set of rules (including downloadable documents) are posted at: https://www.amsat.org/field-day/

CALL FOR AMSAT FIELD DAY PHOTOS 
AMSAT Journal Editor Joe Kornowski, KB6IGK, asks that Field Day participants
share photos of their Field Day satellite stations for publication in an upcoming
edition of The AMSAT Journal. Please email photos to journal at amsat dot org

[ANS thanks AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce Paige, KK5DO, for the above information]

Dollar-for-Dollar Match on your ARISS Donation Ends Monday!

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 99 contributors have donated $26,180 to the campaign, about 17% of the goal.

Please donate today at: https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_6ruVeeeNzOa6ruVeeeNzOa

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

AMSAT Operations Updates AO-85 Status / AO-92 Field Day Plans

AO-85’s FM repeater is still active during the current period of full illumination. Both downlink and uplink frequencies are off frequency low and DUV telemetry is not active. Continued operations are not guaranteed after the full illumination period ends on June 19. Work it while you can!

AO-92 will be available in both U/v and L/v for Field Day this year. The current plan is to command AO-92 to L/v on the 0416Z pass on June 22, the evening before Field Day. The 24 hour timer will then run to expiration, and the satellite will revert to Mode U/v for the remainder of Field Day weekend. The planned timing should provide for at least one accessible pass for the continental US in L/v before returning to U/v. If commanding to L/v on the 0416Z pass is not successful, we will reattempt Field Day morning. Please keep the uplink clear during commanding.

Additionally, requests were made to the LilacSat-2, IO-86 and PO-101 command stations for special scheduling of these FM repeaters for Field Day. Please watch for these teams’ schedule announcements on Twitter and amsat-bb prior to Field Day weekend. Note that IO-86 is only accessible to those stations below about 30 degrees of latitude, but is a very strong repeater and easily worked to the local horizon.

The FM repeaters on AO-91 and SO-50 are also expected to be available as normal during Field Day.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Vice President-Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, for the above information.]

AMSAT Engineering Slides From Ham-Com

AMSAT Vice President-Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, presented an update on AMSAT’s projects at Ham-Com 2019. Slides from the presentation are available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-167-N0JY

[ANS thanks AMSAT Vice President-Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, for the above information.]

BIRDS-3 Satellites Deploy From ISS on June 17th

JAXA has announced that the BIRDS-3 satellites, NepaliSat-1 (Nepal), Raavana-1 (Sri Lanka) and Uguisu (Japan), will deploy from ISS on June 17th. A live stream of the deployment will begin at 0835z on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrw3cMw10nQ&feature=youtu.be

The three satellites operate on same frequency, 437.375MHz, with a CW beacon and 4800 bps GMSK. More info is available on the BIRDS-3 Project website: https://birds3.birds-project.com

[ANS thanks Masa, JN1GKZ, 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/

IARU Region 1 Notes WRC-23 Proposals That Impact 144-146 MHz and 1260-1270 MHz Amateur Satellite Service Bands

IARU Region 1 notes that there are two proposals under discussion in Europe as possible future Agenda Items at WRC 2023, which potentially could impact important amateur radio frequencies. The following sets out the current IARU position on these proposals.

A proposal from France to consider the band 144-146 MHz as a primary allocation to the Aeronautical Mobile service, as part of a broader consideration of the spectrum allocated to that service. The band 144-146 MHz is allocated globally to the amateur and amateur satellite services on a primary basis. This is one of the few primary allocations to the amateur service above 29.7 MHz and as such is an important and widely used part of the amateur spectrum with a vast installed base of users and operational satellite stations.

IARU views with grave concern any proposal to include this band in the proposed study. It will be representing this view energetically in Regional Telecommunications Organisations and in ITU to seek to obtain assurances that the spectrum will remain a primary allocation for the amateur services.

A proposal to study the amateur allocation in the 1240-1300 MHz (“23cm”) band following reported cases of interference to the Galileo navigation system.

IARU is aware of a handful of cases where interference to the Galileo E6 signal has been reported. In all cases these have been resolved by local action with the full cooperation of the amateur stations concerned.

IARU does not want the amateur service to affect the operation of the Galileo system in any way. Joint studies have been carried out to assess the true vulnerability of the system and, based on these, IARU regards the proposal to initiate an Agenda item for WRC-23 as premature.

The IARU position is that proper technical assessment of the issues involved should be made in the relevant CEPT study group. Proper account needs to be taken of the operational characteristics of the amateur service in order to develop sensible and proportionate measures that will facilitate the continued utility of the band for amateur experimentation whilst respecting the primary status of the GNSS service.

IARU is ready to cooperate fully in any studies and shares the objective of reaching a secure and permanent solution to the issues of sharing in this band.

IARU asks its Member Societies to draw this information to the attention of their members, and to refrain at this time from making speculative public comments about the situation until further progress has been made in regulatory discussions. IARU is also ready to discuss this issue with other societies not in IARU membership.

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information]

Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.  
25% of the purchase price of each product goes 
towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
 https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for June 13, 2019

The following amateur satellite has decayed and has been removed from the AMSAT-NA TLE distribution: ZA-AeroSat – CAT ID 42713 (reentered 06-02-2019).

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager 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 $26,180
raised or about 17% 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

How to Support AMSAT

AMSAT relies on the support of our members and the amateur radio community to Keep Amateur Radio in Space.

How can you help?

  1. Join AMSAT
    Both you and AMSAT will benefit when you join. You get the AMSAT Journal bimonthly and support from AMSAT Ambassadors. Member dues and donations provide AMSAT’s primary support. Join today at: https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ 
  2. Become a Life Member
    Becoming a Life Member has never been easier. Now you can become a Life Member with 12 monthly payments of $74 through our online store. See https://www.amsat.org/product/lifetime-membership/ for details.
  3. Donate to AMSAT
    Make a one time or recurring donation to AMSAT today. Even as little as one dollar a month can make a difference! Donate today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/ 
  4. Purchase AMSAT gear on our Zazzle storefront.
    AMSAT receives 25% of the price of each sale on AMSAT logo merchandise from our Zazzle storefront located at https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear 
  5. Support AMSAT when you make purchases from Amazon!
    So far, AMSAT has received $3,913.29 from AmazonSmile. Search for “Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation” https://smile.amazon.com/ref=smi_ext_twt_dshb_smi 
  6. Volunteer for AMSAT AMSAT relies on volunteers for nearly all of our activities. If you have an idea for how to help, please let us know, Details on volunteering can be found at  https://www.amsat.org/volunteer-for-amsat/

[ANS thanks the AMSAT office for the above information.]

Upcoming Satellite Operations

#HomewardBoundRove (DN13, DN14, DN21, DN22, DN23) – June 14-18, 2019 
Casey, KI7UNJ, will be hitting a few grids on his way home.  Look for DN13/DN14 line on June 14th, DN21/DN22 line June 15th, DN22 June 17th, and DN23 June 18th.  FM only.  Pass times expected between 1700-2000UTC. Specific passes to be posted on Casey’s Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ

Drummond Island (EN85, EN86) – June 15-18, 2019 
Chris, AA8CH, will be up on Drummond Island again June 15-18, staying in EN86 and also activating EN85 as well. Open to any sked requests if someone needs either grid.  May activate EN74, 75, 76 on the way there or back depending.  Will try to post passes to @charliehotel10 via twitter if possible.

Post Hot Rod Power Tour Rove (New York to Wyoming) – June 15-27, 2019 
Following the Hot Rod Power Tour, I will be heading to FN02 for a few days and plan to work FN01/11 gridline around June 17-18. Details to follow. I will be heading as far east as FN32 and then eventually working my way back to DN71. Specifically looking for EN01/02 along the way. Details will be posted to Twitter and my QRZ page as the trip plans unfold. Follow me on APRS.fi as WY7AA-9, as he will not have Twitter access along the road.

#JosephOrBustRove (DN04, DN05, DN15) – June 28-30, 2019 
Casey, KI7UNJ, will be wandering around Eastern Oregon and decided to do a little grid activating.  Look for Casey on FM passes in DN04 mid-Friday, June 28th, in DN15 Friday night to Saturday evening, and DN05 Sunday morning. Specific passes to be posted on Casey’s Twitter feed https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ

Iceland (HP95 IP15 IP25 IP03 HP03) – July 13-19, 2019 
Adam, K0FFY, is taking his family (and his radios) to Iceland. Tentative schedule is HP95 July 13, IP13 and IP15 July 14-15, IP25 July 16, IP03 or HP93 July 17-18, and HP94 July 19.  There’s a lot to see, so passes will be best effort and announced on Twitter shortly prior.  https://twitter.com/K0FFY_Radio

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information.]

Satellite Shorts from All Over

From June 22-23, the FO-99 linear transponder will be activated over Friedrichshafen, Germany and Bangkok, Thailand. See https://twitter.com/GsNihonuniv for details.

[ANS thanks the Nihon University Ground Station for the above information.]

Jim Heck, G3WGM, has announced that the AO-73 transponder will be reactivated the weekend of June 14th and will be left on continuously for the next week.

[ANS thanks Jim Heck, G3WGM, for the above information.]

The FM transponder on PO-101 is activated by schedule. Updates are generally available weekly on their Twitter account. See https://twitter.com/Diwata2PH

[ANS thanks the PO-101 / Diwata-2 team for the above information.]

Phase 3 launch anniversaries – Saturday was the 31st anniversary of the launch of AO-13 (Phase 3C), launched on June 15, 1988. Today (Sunday) is the 36th anniversary of the launch of AO-10, launched on June 16, 1983.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee is offering a CubeSat Research Fellowship in the Department of Physics. The successful fellow will develop and carry out a CubeSat mission with the help of undergraduate students and technical staff. Funding for the project already exists, and the department has excellent machine shop and other resources. This is a two-year position with possibility for extension. Applicants should hold a M.S. or Ph.D. in engineering, space science, or a related discipline. Please see the full posting at jobs.rhodes.edu/postings/3034.

[ANS thanks Rhodes College for the above information.]

Daniel Estévez, EA4GPZ, has shared several blog posts/articles of note:

[ANS thanks Dani Estevez, EA4GPZ, for the above information.]

A tool for interplanetary missions that calculates ballistic transfers between planets and moons: https://transfercalculator.com/

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,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org