AMSAT News Service

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-342

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 https://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:  https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

• AMSAT Member Melissa Pore, KM4CZN, Named 2020 Carole Perry Educator of the Year
• AMSAT Vice President – Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Participates in Hackaday Hack Chat
• AMSAT to Join ARRL in Opposition to FCC Proposal to Eliminate 3.3 – 3.5 GHz Amateur Allocation
• Chris Taron, NK1K, Completes Satellite DXCC Via LEO Satellites
• Duchifat3 with V/u FM Transponder To Launch December 11
• Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA
• AZTECHSAT-1 Cubesat to Transmit Emergency Traffic using WINLINK
• AMSAT-SA to Shift Main Focus to AfriCUBE, a Digital SDR CubeSat
• LSF Heads Back to Orbit with the Qubik Mission
• VUCC Awards And Endorsements for November 2019
• Upcoming ARISS Activities
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

AMSAT Member Melissa Pore, KM4CZN, Named 2020 Carole Perry Educator of the Year

The Orlando HamCation has announced that AMSAT member Melissa Pore, KM4CZN, is the 2020 receipient of the Carole Perry Educator of the Year Award. This award is bestowed upon an individual who has made an outstanding contribution educating and advancing youth in Amateur Radio. It was first awarded in 2018 to its namesake, Carole Perry, WB2MGP, in honor of her work as an educator teaching students about ham radio.

Melissa has been an educational professional for over 20 years and currently teaches at Bishop Denis J. O’Connell High School. Along with teaching engineering and computer scienve, she is also involved in the school’s amateur radio and engineering clubs. Her students held demonstrations at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center’s Innovation Day. Some of her other educational endeavors include working on the first satellite to be launched and built by an elementary school and co-facilitating a workshop at Space Port Area Conference for Educators 2019. Melissa has a Technician Class radio license and is a member of AMSAT, NASA Goddard Amateur Radio Club and ARRL. She is involved in ARISS as an Ambassador on the US Education Team. She will be presenting an
ARISS Workshop at the Space Exploration Educators Conference 2020.

AMSAT congratulations Melissa on this well-deserved honor!

[ANS thanks the Orlando HamCation for the above information]

AMSAT Vice President – Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y, Participates in Hackaday Hack Chat

AMSAT Vice President – Educational Relations Alan Johnston, KU2Y, participated in a Hackaday Hack Chat on December 4, 2019. Built for about $300 using mostly off-the-shelf and 3D-printed parts, the simulator lets satellite builders work the bugs out of their designs before committing them to the Final Frontier.

Logs from the chat are available at: https://hackaday.io/event/168230-amsat-cubesat-simulator-hack-chat

More information about the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator project can be found at http://cubesatsim.com/.

Dr. Johnston also recently presented at the Radio Club of America’s Technical Symposium. His presentation, entitled “Designing the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator: A Functional Satellite Model for the Classroom” is available at: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-342-KU2Y

[ANS thanks Hackaday and Alan Johnston, KU2Y, for the above information]

AMSAT to Join ARRL in Opposition to FCC Proposal to Eliminate 3.3 – 3.5 GHz Amateur Allocation

At its December 12th open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission is expected to adopt a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that proposes to remove the amateur allocation at 3.3 – 3.5 GHz, including the amateur satellite service allocation at 3.4 – 3.401 GHz.

The ARRL plans to file comments opposing the deletion of the amateur allocation. AMSAT also plans to file comments in opposition to this proposal and we are coordinating our efforts with the ARRL. More information on the FCC proposal can be found on the ARRL’s website at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-342-ARRL.

[ANS thanks AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, and the ARRL for the above information]

The digital download version of the 2019 edition of
Getting Started with Amateur Satellites is now available as a
DRM-free PDF from the AMSAT Store. Get yours today!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-237-Getting-Started

Chris Taron, NK1K, Completes Satellite DXCC Via LEO Satellites

Chris Taron, NK1K, recently completed his satellite DXCC award with all QSOs made using LEO satellites. His 100th DXCC entity worked came courtesy of Phillipe Chateau, EA4NF, who was operating as EA9/EA4NF in Melilla, on November 19th. Chris posted a recording of his QSO via AO-7 at https://chirb.it/90xpzx. The LoTW confirmation a few days later left him at 99 DXCCs confirmed. A QSL card received from VP2V/DL7VTX on December 5th put him over the top with 100 DXCC entities confirmed.

AMSAT congratulates Chris on his great achievement!

[ANS thanks Chris Taron, NK1K, for the above information]

Duchifat3 with V/u FM Transponder To Launch December 11

Duchifat3, carrying a V/u FM transponder, will launch on the PSLV-C48 mission, currently scheduled for launch at 09:55 UTC on December 11, 2019 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR in India. The planned orbit is 576 km circular with an inclination of 37 degrees.

Duchifat3 was built by high school students supported by Herzliya Science Center in Israel and carries an on-board camera for earth imaging. The V/u FM transponder has an uplink of 145.970 MHz and a downlink of 436.400 MHz. Telemetry will be transmitted using 9k6 BPSK with AX.25.

http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=586

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information]

Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs
from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds
goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution for 2019? Consider making a donation to AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT’s federal tax ID is 52-0888529.

AZTECHSAT-1 Cubesat to Transmit Emergency Traffic using WINLINK

The AZTECHSAT-1 Cubesat travels to the space station on the 19th SpaceX Commercial Resupply Services (CRS-19) contract mission for NASA integrated within a NanoRacks CubeSat Deployer (NRCSD) and launches from the JEM Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (J-SSOD). The J-SSOD is handled by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) Multi-Purpose Experiment Platform (MPEP) outside the space station.

AZTECHSAT-1 has received IARU coordination for a downlink frequency of 437.300 MHz using 9k6 GMSK or FSK. The cubesat will also carry a Globalstar radio. The cubesat will listen for emergency messages in the 439 MHz frequency range and then retransmit these messages for amateur radio operators to copy on the 437.300 MHz downlink using the WinLink protocol.

AZTECHSAT-1 will create a Saturation Map of 435-438 MHz by listening for the whole orbit and returning captured data to the ground station using the 437.300 MHz amateur radio downlink plus a 1600 MHz Globalstar link.

The emergency messages received via globalstar to the AZTECHSAT-1 ground station will be shared on the project’s website. A certificate will be available for amateur stations receiving the emergency message(s) submitted via their website and confirmed by the AZTECHSAT-1 team.

Full details are posted on the AZTECHSAT-1 web:
https://upaep.mx//aztechsat
http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/finished_detail.php?serialnum=661

[ANS thanks the IARU and the AZTECHSAT-1 at Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla]

AMSAT-SA to Shift Main Focus to AfriCUBE, a Digital SDR CubeSat

The AMSAT-SA CubeSat development team has shifted their CubeSat development focus from an analogue transponder to a digital SDR based unit. The development of the AfriCUBE digital SDR transponder under the leadership of Anton Janovsky, ZR6AIC has reached an advanced stage and will soon be ready to undergo its first field trials.

The team is not abandoning the development of the KLETSKous analogue transponder, which performed well during the BACAR 7 flight on 12 October 2019. Leon Lessing, ZS6LMG has taken the development to this point but unfortunately, due to personal commitments, cannot continue to work on Kletskous. “I would like to thank Leon for his support and wish him well in his future endeavours,” Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, AMSAT -SA CubeSat project leader said.

During the BACAR flight test it showed that some further development is needed to improve the transponder’s receiver sensitivity. “Here is a great opportunity for young enthusiastic engineers in the amateur radio community to take on the challenge. I invite interested persons with RF experience to contact me and become part of the team. While there is no financial reward, the experience and achieving something great that will fly in space outweighs this many times. It will certainly look good on anyone’s CV”, Hannes said.

The EPS (electronic power system), space frame and stabilisation system are complete. The development of the solar panel and antenna deployment systems are making good progress. Frik Wolf, ZS6FZ said he will be ready by mid-January 2020 for project review and field testing.

Currently work on a new onboard control system has been paused while Fritz Sutherland, ZS6FSJ is working with Anton Janovsky to get AfricaCUBE ready for on-the-air trials.

Nico van Rensburg, ZS6QL will continue work on the documentation crucial to secure a launch opportunity and Hans van de Groenendaal, ZS6AKV will work on frequency allocations and explore launch opportunities and the marketing of the project.

AMSAT-SA is continuing its dialogue with SANSA and its contractor to place a transponder on EOSAT-1, a planned high performance earth-observation satellite designed to produce data for a broad range of earth observation applications. The development of AfriCUBE will enhance this opportunity.

JOIN THE AMSAT SA CUBESAT TEAM

AMSAT SA invites radio amateurs with RF, electronic and software experience to join the Satellite Development team and contribute to technology and human capital development in South Africa. The team meets every alternate Monday on a Skype conference and quarterly face-to-face. Send your contact details and your main interest in the CubeSat project to [email protected]. Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP or another team member will contact you.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-SA and the South African Radio League for the above information]

LSF Heads Back to Orbit with the Qubik Mission

Libre Space Foundation is proud to announce that it is currently developing and integrating 2 pocketqube satellites (QUBIK-1 & QUBIK-2) and supplying a pocketqube deployer (PICOBUS) to be flown as part of the DREAM payloads program on the inaugural Firefly Alpha launch from Firefly Aerospace.

The project consists of two 50x50x50mm Pocketcubes each of approx. 250g. The project mission is for the satellites to conduct a series of telecommunications related experiments, while at the same time, ground station analysis of the received signals will try to exploit doppler variations in order to perform orbit determination and satellite identification from radio amateur stations around the world. The telecommunication experiments will use several different modulation, coding and framing schemes, with the intention to provide insights about their performance at nano-pico-satellite missions. In addition the frame itself will be organized in such a way so spacecraft identification can be performed as early as possible from the PHY (using orthogonal or PN sequences). Proposing UHF downlinks using either GFSK, GMSK or BPKS at 9k6 or 19k2 bps with QPSK at bit rates of 19k2 or 38k4 bps. Planning a Firefly launch from Vandenberg in March 2020 into a circular 300km 97 degree orbit together with GENESIS-N, GENESIS-L, FOSSASAT-1B and FOSSASAT-2 More info at https://libre.space

Frequency coordination is pending with the IARU:
http://www.amsatuk.me.uk/iaru/formal_detail.php?serialnum=703

[ANS thanks LibreSpace for the above information]

VUCC Awards And Endorsements for November 2019

Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the ARRL for the period November 1, 2019 through December 1, 2019. Congratulations to all those who made the list this month!

Callsign	October 2019 VUCC Standing	November 2019 VUCC Standing
KO4MA	1694	1701
WA5KBH	738	744
W5RKN	694	702
N3GS	597	601
VE7CEW	478	501
KK4YEL	400	413
AD0HJ	353	375
N7EGY	300	351
W5CBF	New	179
N0RSR	New	154
N0RC	100	104
EA8CXN	New	101
VE2NGO	New	100
VU2LBW	New	100

If you find errors or omissions. please contact me off-list at w5rkn at w5rkn dot com and I’ll revise the announcement. This list was developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It’s a visual comparison so omissions are possible. 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]

ARISS Activities

• About Gagarin From Space Conducting an amateur radio session with students of “Amur State University Blagoveshchensk”, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via R?ØJ
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS The scheduled astronaut is Oleg Skripochka Contact is go for Thu 2019-12-05 08:52 UTC
• Council Rock High School South, Holland, PA, direct via KC3NGG
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
  The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
  Contact was successful: Thu 2019-12-05 17:56:31 UTC
• B. Pascal Institute – Public School, Rome, Italy, direct via IKØMGA and Istituto Comprensivo Lipari “S. Lucia”, Lipari, Italy, direct via ID9GKS
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be IRØISS
  The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP
  Contact is go for: Sat 2019-12-07 11:44:00 UTC
• Greenwood Primary School, Greenwood, Western Australia, Australia, telebridge via IK1SLD
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
  The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
  Contact is go for: Tue 2019-12-10 10:55:14 UTC
• City of Kursk, Russia and City of Ufa, Russia, direct via TBD
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
  The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov
  Contact is go for: Tue 2019-12-11 10:10 UTC
• Woodridge Middle School, High Ridge, MO, direct via NØKBA
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
  The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP
  Contact is go for: Thu 2019-12-12 15:29:16 UTC

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, and David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS operation team members, 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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Satellite Shorts:

• Dec 12th ND0C EM09 – 1647z on AO-91 & 1708z on AO-92
• Dec 12th ND0C EN00 – 1821z on AO-91 & 1843z on AO-92
• South Florida (EL95, EL96) December 11-15, 2019
  James, K4WPX, will be in EL96/95 December 11th-15th, vacation style, mostly evening passes, FM only. James will be staying in EM96 but ~1 mile from the EM95 line, so he can skip over there for some passes, too. Pass announcements via Twitter: https://twitter.com/k4wpx
• Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
  Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special empahasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF
• Big Bend National Park (DL88) March 16-17, 2020
  Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend National Park to put grid DL88 on the air. Details will be added here as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep an eye on their individual Twitter feeds: https://twitter.com/ad0dx, https://twitter.com/dtabor, and  https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5

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

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP – User Services, for the above information]

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/ 

Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Albert “Al” Noe (81), KL7NO, from Fairbanks Alaska, passed away Monday evening, November 25, 21 months after being diagnosed with stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. Al was an avid 6 meter operator just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska in grid BP54. He was still active on 6 meters up until the very end. For over 40 years Al provided EME, AMSAT, and many other contacts on 6, 2, 1.25 meters, 70 & 23 centimeters from his Alaska QTH just outside of Fairbanks. Blanchard Family Funeral Home in Fairbanks will be handling Al’s services and an obituary will be published at a later date. https://www.blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com/  (Via the Central States VHF Society)
• John Toscano, W0JT, passed away Wednesday, November 27, in San Antonio. He fought a long battle against many health problems during the last several years. Since moving to Texas, he had almost completed his dream station (6-m through 10 GHz) at a great location (20 dB hilltop) and participated in both AMSAT and RMG club activities. Previously, while in Minnesota, he was a very active NLRS member on the VHF/UHF/SHF bands with fixed, rover and portable stations. As a retired pharmacist and U of MN assistant professor, John will be remembered for his programming contributions with his 10 GHz contest logging/scoring program and his on-line contest activity spreadsheets. He also had many interests in astronomy and astrophysics.  (Via the Central States VHF Society)
• From Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin #1442: FP, ST. PIERRE & MIQUELON (Early Announcement). Eric, KV1J, will once again be operating from the Island of Miquelon (NA-032, DIFO FP-002 WLOTA 1417, Grid GN17) as FP/KV1J between June 30th and July 14th, 2020. This is his 14th trip to the island. Activity will be on 160-10 meters (no 60m – not authorized) using CW, SSB, RTTY, FT8/FT4 (but primarily SSB, RTTY and FT8/FT4) and the satellites. He will generally be on the highest frequency band that is open (favoring 12/10m). He will be active in the IARU HF World Championship (July 11-12th). ADDED NOTE: Eric will usually try to be on as many Satellite passes as he can when the WX is good, generally favoring the FO-29, XW-2x, AO-7, and possibly the FM birds. Weekends may be limited since he will be concentrating on the low(er) bands and contests. QSL via KV1J, direct or by the Bureau. Also eQSL and LoTW. For more details and updates, check out his Web page at: http://www.kv1j.com/fp/July20.html
• Issue 78 of CQ DATV is now available at https://cq-datv.mobi/78.php.

 

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 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
[email protected]

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-321

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, 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 https://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:  https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

• Happy 45th Birthday AMSAT-OSCAR 7!
• 19th Anniversary of ARISS Operations
• PO-101 (Diwata-2) QSLs Available
• IARU Update Regarding Amateur Satellite Allocations
• AMSAT Member Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, Youth Excellence Award
• Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 14, 2019
• Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

Happy 45th Birthday AMSAT-OSCAR 7!

At 17:11 UTC on November 15, 1974 a Delta-2310 rocket lifted off from SLC-2W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, sending AO-7 into orbit along with NOAA-4 and Intasat. Details about the launch and initial telemetry reception can be found at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-AO7Launch

After nearly 7 years of service, AO-7 was thought to have reached the end of its life in June 1981 due to battery failure. A retrospective detailing its exemplary record was published in the AMSAT Satellite Report, available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-AO7Record

Though it was thought to be lost in 1981, there are reports that the Polish Solidarity movement used AO-7 to pass messages in 1982 while Poland was under martial law. An article, in Polish, with the details is available at https://tinyurl.com/AO-7-Poland

Twenty years later, on June 21, 2002, G3IOR reported that he heard an old-style CW beacon from an unknown OSCAR satellite near 145.970 MHz. This was soon identified as AMSAT-OSCAR 7. The original AMSAT-BB post with news of the discovery is archived at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-AO7BB

Despite some pre-launch predictions that the CMOS logic circuits on-board “wouldn’t last 3 weeks,” AO-7 remains operational and well-used while in sunlight. It is the oldest operational satellite, in any service, in orbit. https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/ao-7/

To celebrate AO-7’s 45th birthday, AMSAT will auction off a set of gold-plated AO-7 cufflinks and a 50th Anniversary AMSAT lab coat (size 42R) next week. Check AMSAT-BB or AMSAT’s social media pages for details on Monday morning.

[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]

19th Anniversary of ARISS Operations

On November 13, 2000, the ARISS amateur radio payload was turned on and the first operations occurred over Russia and the United States.

Our ARISS team is working feverishly on the final certification of our next generation radio system: the Interoperable Radio System. We thank all those that have supported this development effort through team support as well as donations!!  We continue to move closer to a planned March 2020 launch of the hardware on SpaceX CRS-20.

[ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT Vice President for Human Spaceflight and ARISS International Chair for the above information]

PO-101 (Diwata-2) QSLs Available

The PHL Microsatellite Program, Electrical and Electronics Engineering Institute, University of the Philippines operates PO-101. The FM transponder is available on a schedule published by the team on the PO-101 Users Group on Twitter (@Diwata2PH) and the PO-101 Users Group on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/880769575655081

PO-101 Operations (FM)
Uplink:   437.500 MHz – 141.3 Hz PL Tone
Downlink: 145.900 MHz

QSL Cards will be provided through email every month to users who submit their QSO information via PO-101 using the Google form posted at: https://forms.gle/XZnjRGNSC2jSF51j6

Users may also upload your contact recordings or videos with PO-101 here: https://forms.gle/pV5DgBQeWf1fjqmu9

[ANS thanks the PO-101 Diwata2-PH team for the above information]

The digital download version of the 2019 edition of
Getting Started with Amateur Satellites is now available as a
DRM-free PDF from the AMSAT Store. Get yours today!
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-237-Getting-Started

IARU Update Regarding Amateur Satellite Allocations

The second week of the World Radiocommunication Conference reports on the status of two issues affecting the amateur satellite service. In a report written by Dave Sumner, K1ZZ, first is an agenda item currently under review during this WRC-19 session; second is planning for future pressure on frequencies for the amateur satellite service.

Current WRC-19
While it does not directly affect us – work at WRC-15 saw to that – we are following an agenda item that seeks spectrum for telemetry, tracking and command in the space operation service for non-GSO satellites with short duration missions (Cubesats, among others). We would like a solution to be found to cut down on the misuse of the very limited amateur-satellite spectrum for commercial applications. Discussions are focusing on spectrum near 137 MHz (down)/149MHz (up) but reaching agreement is proving to be very difficult.

Future – WRC-23 
With the spectrum from 8.3 kHz to 275 GHz fully allocated and some bands above 275 GHz already identified for particular uses, any proposal for new allocations involves sharing with one or more incumbent services. The pressures for spectrum access to accommodate new uses for commercial purposes are intense; for an established service such as ours, any WRC that does not reduce our own useful spectrum access is a success.

The idea of including the amateur two meter band in a study of non-safety aeronautical mobile service applications has not resurfaced. However, the IARU is concerned with a proposed item for WRC-23 entitled: “Review of the amateur service and the amateur-satellite service allocations to ensure the protection of the radionavigation-satellite service (space-to-Earth) in the frequency band 1240-1300 MHz.”

Our regulatory status is already clear. The amateur service is secondary in this band and the amateur-satellite service is permitted to operate in the Earth-to-space direction on a non-interference basis in the band 1260-1270 MHz. In the international Radio Regulations this is all the protection a primary service such as radionavigation-satellite requires; implementation is up to individual administrations.

The one well-documented case of interference to a Galileo receiver that prompted this proposed agenda item occurred more than five years ago and was quickly resolved by the administration concerned. There have been no known interference cases to user terminals.

An amateur service allocation of 1215-1300 MHz was made on a primary, exclusive basis in 1947, later downgraded to secondary to accommodate radiolocation (radar) and narrowed to 1240-1300 MHz. The radionavigation-satellite service was added in 2000. As a secondary service amateur radio has operated successfully in the band for many years. Given the relatively modest density and numbers of amateur transmissions in the band, we view the Galileo-oriented proposal for an agenda item as disproportionate.

The IARU recognizes the concern and does not want the amateur service to affect the operation of the Galileo system in any way. It has already updated its operational recommendations for amateur stations in Region 1. If necessary, further recommendations may be developed and rolled out globally.

In CEPT, two preliminary measurement studies of Galileo receiver performance/vulnerability (from 2015 and 2019) are currently being evaluated. Discussions can be more timely and focused within CEPT. The IARU believes that this process already offers the potential for a satisfactory solution and thus the issue does not warrant WRC action and the commitment of ITU resources.

Posted on: http://www.iaru.org/news–events

[ANS thanks Dave Sumner, K1ZZ and the IARU for the above information]

Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows, and M2 LEO-Packs
from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds
goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

AMSAT Member Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, Youth Excellence Award

Congratulations to AMSAT member Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, Newsline Young Ham of the Year on his award as the first ever Youth Excellence Award in collaboration with McLean County (Bloomington-Normal, IL) Indian Association (MCIA) for the year 2019.

The MCIA invited nominations for individuals from Asian Indian youth in Bloomington-Normal who have gone above and beyond in community service and individual attainment. Dhruv’s award was based on attaining the goals of the Youth Excellence Award:

1. To celebrate exemplary behavior among young people in Blo-No’s Asian Indian Community

2. To encourage and motivate young people in the pursuit of Excellence & Creativity in the Performing Arts, Community Leadership, Sports, Academics, Innovation etc. to name a few

3. To push one’s own self-imposed boundaries and become better versions of oneself

4. To encourage young people to be positive role models/ambassadors and mentors in their communities

5. To foster a spirit of volunteerism and public service among youth

Dhruv received his award during the MCIA Diwali Dinner 2019 in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois.

[ANS thanks and congratulates Dhruv and his father, Hari Rebba. and the McLean County Indian Association for the above information]

Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for November 14, 2019

The following Amateur Radio satellite has decayed from orbit and has been removed from this week’s TLE distribution:

NO-83(BRICSAT-P) – NORAD CAT ID 40655 – Decayed 11/07/2019 at approx. 19:49 UTC

Thanks to Alan Biddle, WA4SCA for decay date estimate.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager, for the above information]

G4BAO 23cm-45 W-PA Available as Public Domain

This repository contains details of the G4BAO 45 Watt 23cm Power Amplifier published in RSGB RadCom Magazine in June 2009 and later in the book ” Microwave Know How for the Radio Amateur” by Andy Barter, G8ATD.

This PA was sold for many years as a kit by the designer. The decision has been made to not sell any further kits so the designs are now made available here under the terms of an MIT license. It includes a copy of the original article, Eagle board and schematic files, plus Gerber files for the PCB, which must be made from Taconic 0.7mm RF35 substrate.

The design can be accessed at: https://github.com/g4bao/23cm-45W-PA

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information]

Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution for 2019? Consider making a donation to AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015, individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT’s federal tax ID is 52-0888529.

Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

Quick list of scheduled contacts and events as of 2019-11-15 02:00 UTC

• Lakeside Elementary School, West Point, UT, telebridge via IK1SLD
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
  The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
  Contact is go for: Mon 2019-11-18 19:01:06 UTC
  Watch for live streaming at www.ariotti.com starting about 15 minutes before AOS
• Istituto San Paolo delle Suore Angeliche, Milano, Italy and Istituto Comprensivo Di Merone – Mons. A. Pirovano, Merone, Italy, telebridge via W6SRJ
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
  The scheduled astronaut is Luca Parmitano KF5KDP
  Contact is go for: Thu 2019-11-21 09:12:07 UTC
• MAOU Lyceum No. 39, Nizhny Tagil, Russia, direct via TBD
  The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSØISS
  The scheduled astronaut is Alexander Skvortsov
  Contact is go for 2011-11-30 14:15 UTC

A reminder that the deadline to submit proposals for ARISS contacts to be scheduled between July 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 is coming up on November 30, 2019. For more information visit https://www.ariss.org/

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, and David Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS operation team members, 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

Upcoming Satellite Operations

• Nunavut, Canada (ER60) November 11 – December 6, 2019
  Look for VY0ERC to once again be active from the Eureka Weather station (NA-008, Zone 2) between Nov. 11 to Dec. 6. This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from Eureka, Nunavut. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters (possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB, the Digital modes and very slow CW. Activity will be limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For updates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
• EA9 Melilla (IM85) November 18-21, 2019
  Philippe, EA4NF, will be operating from Melilla as EA9/EA4NF from November 18 to 21, 2019. This very small Spanish territory located in Northern Africa, which is a very rare GRID and is listed as one of the Most Wanted SAT DXCC. Updates and passes on Philippe’s Twitter:  https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT 
• New River Gorge National River, WV (EM98) November 21-24, 2019
  Michael, N4DCW, is visiting New River Gorge National River (with sat gear) and a swing through EM97 on his way home.  Watch for further announcements on Michael’s Twitter feed:  https://twitter.com/MWimages
• Key West (EL94) December 3-6, 2019
  Tanner, W9TWJ, will be vacationing in Key West December 3-6. Key word is vacation, but he will jump on some FM satellite passes to activate EL94 for those that need it or just want to chat. Watch Tanner’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/twjones85
• Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
  Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

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

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

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/ 

Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, AMSAT VP Educational Relations will be giving a presentation at the 110th Radio Club of America Awards Banquet and Technical Symposium, held this year at the Westin Times Square, New York City on November 23. The topic is “Designing the AMSAT CubeSat Simulator: A Functional Satellite Model for the Classroom”. For more information see: https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-RCA
• The Seattle Times featured an article about the University of Washington’s HuskySat-1 satellite. HuskySat-1 carries an AMSAT-provided linear transponder. https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-UW
• Proceedings of the Microwave Update 2019, held in Dallas, Texas October 3-5, have been published as a PDF which includes a couple of satellite related presentations. It is now available for free download at http://ntms.org/files/MUD2019/MUD_Proceedings_2019.pdf   (via North Texas Microwave Society)
• All the photos in the MUD Proceedings are in black and white. The MUD GNR file is in color at http://www.ntms.org/  (via Zack W9SZ on the Microwave list)
• All videos from the AMSAT-DL symposium Bochum are online. Recorded from the wideband transponder by DB8TF. A playlist includes all videos from Saturday and Sunday:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1Gtsa1KaEAgRc-dvWo44QQ  If you can, please translate Screen texts to other languages and add to the video. (Via AMSAT-DL)
• On October 7, 8 and 9, 2019, the University of New Brunswick’s (UNB) Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and CubeSat NB hosted the first of three Preliminary Design Review (PDR) meetings for the Canadian CubeSat Project initiated by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Radio Amateurs of Canada was present for the meeting. More details at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-RAC  (Via RAC)
• This page gives a statistical plot showing groups of satellites as a plot of the semi-major axis of the orbit against orbital inclination resulting in “families” and “clusters” in orbit.  https://tinyurl.com/ANS-321-Orbits

 

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 and remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week’s ANS Editor,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
N8HM at amsat dot org