Getting Ready for Fox-1D

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Introduction

AMSAT’s next Fox-1 satellite, Fox-1D, is scheduled for launch on January 12, 2018 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. Fox-1D will launch as part of the PSLV-C40 mission on board a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle with a Cartosat-2 series imaging satellite for the Indian government and 29 other payloads. ISRO’s mission brochure can be found at https://www.isro.gov.in/pslv-c40-cartosat-2-series-satellite-mission/pslv-c40-cartosat-2-series-satellite-brochure.

The Spaceflight Inc mission patch. Fox-1D is likely represented by the single 1U CubeSat just to the right of the rocket.

In addition to the Fox-1 U/v FM transponder, Fox-1D carries several university experiments, including a MEMS gyro from Pennsylvania State University – Erie, a camera from Virginia Tech, and the University of Iowa’s HERCI (High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument) radiation mapping experiment. Fox-1D also carries the AMSAT L-Band Downshifter experiment which allows the utilization of a 1.2 GHz uplink for the FM transponder. Telemetry, experiment data, and pictures from the Virginia Tech camera can be decoded using the FoxTelem software (https://www.amsat.org/foxtelem-software-for-windows-mac-linux/).

Screenshot of the Fox-1D Health tab of FoxTelem

Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP)

Fox-1D is scheduled for launch into a sun-synchronous orbit at 03:59 UTC on January 12, 2018 (10:59pm EST on Thursday, January 11th) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. Estimated pre-launch Keplerian elements are:

Fox-1D
1 99934U 1801D 18012.18138657 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 19
2 99934 97.5671 73.8300 0006273 277.3678 311.7572 15.21737581 17

Updated pre-launch and post-launch Keplerian elements will be distributed when available on the AMSAT-BB and AMSAT website. Please refer to your tracking software documentation for instructions on manually entering Keplerian elements. As there are 31 satellites on this launch, determining the final object number and adding the satellite to the AMSAT Keplerian elements distribution may take several days. Fox-1D’s deployment should occur at at 04:21:12 UTC. “First Veronica,” the first transmission from Fox-1D, is expected at approximately 05:22:12 UTC.

Estimated location of “First Veronica,” the first transmission from Fox-1D.

Participation in telemetry collection by as many stations in as many parts of the world as possible is essential as AMSAT Engineering looks for successful startup and indications of the general health and function of the satellite as it begins to acclimate to space. AMSAT will send a commemorative 3D printed QSL card to the first station capturing telemetry from Fox-1D.

The 3D printed QSL card sent to IV3RYQ for receiving the first AO-91 telemetry.

If you are capturing telemetry with FoxTelem please be sure that “Upload to Server” is checked in your settings, and that your “Ground Station Params” are filled in as well. In addition, be sure that the SOURCE button in the INPUT tab is set to AUTO . You can help AMSAT and everyone waiting to get on the air with Fox-1D tremendously by capturing Fox-1D telemetry.

 

About 60 minutes after deployment, the satellite will start up in Beacon Mode. In this initial mode, the transmitter is limited to 10 seconds on time and then will be off for two minutes. For those of you capturing telemetry, that means that you will only see Current frames and no High or Low frames. The High and Low frames are truncated as it takes just over the 10 second limit to send two frames. Veronica will announce “Fox-1 Delta, Safe Mode” in Beacon Mode.

If AMSAT Engineering is seeing nominal values from the telemetry you gather, the satellite will be commanded from Beacon Mode to Safe Mode on the first good pass over the United States. In Safe Mode, the satellite transmits a full two frames of telemetry (one Current frame followed by, and alternating each ID cycle, a High or a Low frame).

The on-orbit checkout procedure for Fox-1D is similar to the procedure for AO-91. However, the various experiments on board Fox-1D, including the HERCI, Virginia Tech camera, and L-Band Downshifter will require more extensive testing than the experiments on board AO-91 and could take up to two weeks but could be less if users cooperate. It is very important, and good amateur operating practice, to refrain from using the transponder uplink so the on-orbit tests can be performed, including when the satellite is switched into Transponder Mode for testing.

AMSAT will make it broadly known when the tests are complete and the transponder is available for all to use. If you hear someone on the transponder, please do not assume that it is open for general use – check AMSAT’s website, Facebook, and Twitter before transmitting to be sure you do not interfere with testing.

AMSAT asks all satellite operators to contribute just a little bit of your time by gathering telemetry, not using the transponder uplink, to help complete the progress of getting Fox-1D operating for the amateur radio community.

Lots of hams put thousands of volunteer hours of their time into making Fox-1D happen. Just like any ham radio project you might undertake, AMSAT builds satellites. AMSAT volunteers do it because they like to, and when they are done, AMSAT freely shares their project with hams everywhere as is the spirit of amateur radio.

Operating Schedule Notes

While the U/v FM transponders on AO-85 and AO-91 are generally available for amateur use continuously, Fox-1D carries several experimental payloads, including the Virginia Tech camera and the University of Iowa’s HERCI that require the use of the Fox-1 high speed telemetry downlink. The FM transponder is not available in this mode. In addition, times will be scheduled for the use of the L-band Downshifter. The 435 MHz uplink is not available in this mode. Following commissioning, AMSAT Operations will periodically publish an operating schedule via the AMSAT News Service, AMSAT-BB, and AMSAT social media accounts.

L-Band Downshifter

When enabled, the L-Band Downshifter will utilize an uplink of 1267.350 MHz. This device converts signals received at 1267.350 MHz and injects them into the satellite’s 435 MHz receiver. Since the 435 MHz uplink antenna is used to receive the 1267 MHz signals and may present a mismatch at that frequency, pre-launch estimates suggest that a power level of 100 watts ERP will be required for horizon-to-horizon access in Mode L/v. AMSAT Engineering will issue further guidance after in-orbit testing. Look for future articles on the AMSAT website and in The AMSAT Journal for equipment ideas and tutorials for accessing the L-band uplink.

A Comet CYA-1216E Yagi modified with Arrow II 2 meter elements for portable Mode L/v operation (Photo courtesy AC0RA)

Radio Programming Charts

These charts list recommended frequencies pre-launch and are subject to adjustment after in-orbit testing. Note that the satellite’s Automatic Frequency Correction (AFC) circuit may reduce the need for precise adjustment. This should help with Doppler correction for mobile or portable operation, especially in Mode L/v. For example, many 1.2 GHz mobile transceivers are limited to minimum 10 kHz steps. Adjust your radio’s programming accordingly. Although the AFC circuit allows for some error in Doppler correction, AMSAT Operations recommends utilizing the most precise Doppler corrections allowed by your equipment.

Fox-1D Doppler Shift Correction (Mode U/v)

Memory

 Your Transmit Frequency

(With 67 Hz Tone)

Your Receive Frequency
Acquisition of Signal (AOS) 435.340 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 435.345 MHz 145.880 MHz
Time of Closest Approach (TCA) 435.350 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 435.355 MHz 145.880 MHz
Loss of Signal (LOS) 435.360 MHz 145.880 MHz

Fox-1D Doppler Shift Correction (Mode L/v)

Memory

 Your Transmit Frequency

(With 67 Hz Tone)

Your Receive Frequency
Acquisition of Signal (AOS) 1267.320 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 1 1267.325 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 2 1267.330 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 3 1267.335 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 4 1267.340 MHz 145.880 MHz
Approaching 5 1267.345 MHz 145.880 MHz
Time of Closest Approach (TCA) 1267.350 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 1 1267.355 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 2 1267.360 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 3 1267.365 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 4 1267.370 MHz 145.880 MHz
Departing 5 1267.375 MHz 145.880 MHz
Loss of Signal (LOS) 1267.380 MHz 145.880 MHz

Special Membership Offer

As part of the preparations for the launch of Fox-1D, AMSAT is making the “Getting Started With Amateur Satellites” book available for a limited time as a download with any paid new or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier primer of satellite operation. The 182 page book is presented in PDF format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first contacts on a ham radio satellite.

Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option. While there, check out AMSAT’s other items, including the M2 LEOpack antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag. Be sure to view your cart before going to checkout. If you add a membership and then go directly to checkout, you’ll never see an option to add your free gift.

 

A PDF copy of this document is available at https://www.amsat.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Getting-Ready-for-Fox-1D.pdf

Fox-1D Launch Scheduled for 03:58 UTC January 12, 2018

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AMSAT’s next Fox-1 satellite, Fox-1D, is scheduled for launch on January 12, 2018 at 03:58 UTC (Thursday, January 11th at 10:58 PM EST) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India. Fox-1D will launch as part of the PSLV-C40 mission on board a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle with Cartosat, an imaging satellite for the Indian government, and 30 other payloads.

In addition to the Fox-1 U/v FM transponder, Fox-1D contains a number of exciting experiments, including a camera built by students at Virginia Tech, the University of Iowa’s HERCI (High Energy Radiation CubeSat Instrument), and AMSAT’s L-Band Downshifter which will give amateur radio operators an opportunity to experiment with a different uplink band. Stay tuned for more information about the launch and early operations of the satellite. In the mean time, now is a perfect time to join AMSAT and receive a free digital copy of “Getting Started with Amateur Satellites.” Visit https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/ and help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

GOLF-TEE $15,000 Matching Funds President’s Challenge

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In October 2017 AMSAT announced the GOLF (Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint) program. The first project of the GOLF program is a technology demonstrator named GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment). The design is a 3U CubeSat with deployable solar panels, ADAC (attitude determination and control), Software Defined Radio (SDR) Transponder, and a Vanderbilt University Low Energy Proton (LEP) experiment. Now is the time to begin work on the GOLF-TEE Project.

At the end of 2017, AMSAT has generous offers from two AMSAT Past Presidents for matching funds up to $15,000 for those that contribute to the GOLF-TEE campaign at https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=STK27W4G9RMLC between now and February 15th. Make your donation twice as valuable by taking advantage of this opportunity and contributing, and help AMSAT fund the launch of the next series of satellites of the GOLF program. There are also donate buttons for GOLF-TEE on the AMSAT website. Planning is for a launch in 2019.

Donations of $100 and $1,000 or more will be eligible for a special AMSAT GOLF premium. (Both premiums are currently being designed, so please be patient awaiting delivery.)

AMSAT is a 501-(c)-(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific organization of amateur radio operators 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. Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to AMSAT to help underwrite the development and launch expenses of our GOLF satellite program.

Donors wishing to provide additional matching funds please contact Joe Spier, K6WAO at [email protected].

AMSAT Vice-President Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, introducing GOLF at the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium in Reno, NV.

FM Satellites: Good Operating Practices for Beginning and Experienced Operators

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With the success of AMSAT’s Fox project, more FM satellites are in the sky, and more are on the way. As a result, many radio amateurs are getting interested in working satellites for the first time. If you are new to FM satellite operating, welcome!

While working stations through an FM satellite is fairly easy, there are some operating practices that all operators should follow. Since FM satellites are a shared resource, all operators during a pass need to help keep the passes accessible for as many stations as possible.

Many of these guidelines are based around two simple “Golden Rules” of satellite operating: Don’t transmit if you can’t hear the satellite, and operate using full-duplex capabilities if at all possible, meaning you can transmit and receive at the same time. Some radios offer full-duplex capabilities, or you can use two separate radios to achieve this.

1. Share the Pass

FM satellites are just like a repeater: only one person may transmit at a time. Since a satellite is overhead for 15 minutes at most, each operator will want to make some contacts. Please don’t monopolize a pass; let your other ham colleagues have some time on the pass as well. It takes a lot of self-discipline, but sometimes the best engagement is to make one single QSO and sit back to listen for the remainder of the pass.

2. Let Other QSOs Finish

Please let other stations complete their QSO before you call another station. It’s very frustrating when you are calling a station to complete a QSO and another station starts a call before your QSO is completed. Calling someone who has just called another station is considered rude. It’s the equivalent of being interrupted; nobody likes being interrupted. If you hear a QSO in progress, please let that QSO finish before you make your own call.

3. Minimize Repeat QSOs

There are often times where you will hear stations on a pass that you have already worked several times. If a pass has other callers, please refrain from calling a station you have already made contact with numerous times. If you think about it, there are only so many QSOs that can be made during a given pass. Each QSO that is made between two station that have already contacted each other prevents another QSO from happening, one that might be a new grid square or state for another station, or a station’s first QSO.

4. Don’t Call CQ

Please don’t call “CQ Satellite” on an FM satellite. It’s the same as calling CQ on a repeater; you just don’t do it. Generally, it’s better to pick out a station and call them directly. However If you want to announce your presence an FM satellite pass during a pass with low activity, simply give your call and grid (example: “W1ABC FN32”). If you have given your callsign several times and are not getting calls, there may be a problem with your station. Take a break and examine your station before transmitting again.

5. Use Phonetics

It can be very difficult during a busy pass to hear and understand a callsign correctly. Using standard phonetics will make initial copy of your callsign much easier, which reduces the need for repeated transmissions. This makes each QSO shorter, which make more of the pass available for others. It is not a race. There is no need to give your callsign quickly.

6. Rare/Portable Stations Take Priority

It is common for satellite operators to take their equipment with them to portable locations, to transmit from rare grid squares or other DX countries. Courtesy should be extended to these stations; they are providing a rare location to all satellite operators and will be at that location for a limited time. If you hear a station on from a rare grid or DXCC entity, use good judgement before calling stations in more common grids. If the rarer station is working a lot of people on a pass, it may be best to let that station work as many people as possible. There will always be another pass to work more common stations. Info on how to know when rare stations will be on is at the bottom of this list.

7. Use Only the Minimum Power Required

Generally, 5 watts from an HT and a directional antenna is plenty of power to work an FM satellite from horizon to horizon.

8. Work the New Stations

Satellites are for everybody, and the satellite community LOVES hearing new calls on the FM birds. Regular satellite operators should pay close attention during a pass; if you hear a callsign that’s new to you, take the time to call them. You may be that station’s first satellite QSO; what an honor!

How to Get the Latest News on Satellite Activity

There are several ways satellite operators can stay abreast of operations from rare grids or DXCC entities. AMSAT’s website has an area for Upcoming Satellite Operations; check this regularly for the latest info. If you’re on Facebook, you can also join the AMSAT-NA Facebook group; many operators post their activity news in the group. It’s also a good place to meet other satellite operators and ask questions if you’re new.

Many of the most active satellite operators use Twitter to post their real-time activity. If you’re on Twitter, look for posts that tag @AMSAT or use the hash tag #AMSAT. You will quickly see who the frequent posters are; be sure to follow them for the latest info on where they will be operating from.

If you’re not interested in social media, you can subscribe to the AMSAT email reflector or the AMSAT Weekly News Bulletin, which features an area highlighting upcoming operations.

Lastly, you can always listen to a pass. If a lot of people are calling a specific station, that’s a good indicator they are at a rare location. This is especially important at the beginning or ending of a pass, when the satellite’s footprint is more likely to include DX stations.

We hope that these guidelines provide a way for all satellite users to cooperate and share each pass. We want you to work lots of stations and have fun, but not in a way that prevents others from having a good time on the satellites, too. Be neighborly and a good steward of the satellites, and we can all have fun for a long time.