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Today's Topics:
1. Re: Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection Board
(Bob Hammond)
2. Re: Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection Board
(Bob Hammond)
3. Re: HuskySat-1: Telemetry, "FWD Power" (Kevin)
4. Re: HuskySat-1: Telemetry, "FWD Power" (Burns Fisher)
5. Re: Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection Board (Kevin)
6. IC-9700 drift solution (D. Craig Fox)
7. (UPDATE) ISS CubeSat Deployment - Scheduled for 2/19
(Sarah Rogers)
8. ANS-047 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (Paul Stoetzer)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Message: 1
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 13:53:32 -0800
From: Bob Hammond <propgrinder@?????.???>
To: "kd8drg.admin@????????.???? <kd8drg.admin@????????.???>
Cc: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection
Board
Message-ID:
<CAKoB7Op3wxv-kfbzVxpfkR6OucKaPQQ8skyGw8RAR63d-4+tOg@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Eric,
I found much information on the design and benefits of a GPSDO and
reference board for the IC-9700 here:
https://www.minikits.com.au/gps9700#wspr
The Mini-Kits version is only slightly different than the Leo Bodnar
version however the designs are virtually identical.
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=301
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=352
Bob W7OTJ
On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 8:16 AM kd8drg.admin--- via AMSAT-BB <
amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
> I was wondering what the advantage is for using this board vs the standard
> 10Mhz external reference on the 9700?
>
> 73
> Eric
> WD8KNL
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:08:46 -0800
From: Bob Hammond <propgrinder@?????.???>
To: "kd8drg.admin@????????.???? <kd8drg.admin@????????.???>
Cc: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection
Board
Message-ID:
<CAKoB7Oof9Kv7MsbWNsSXK9Gu2UVrpAK9rrK5REvUN8LVE4YdYg@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
This is a good explanation:
"With the current firmware, users have observed frequency drift when using
narrow bandwidth modes. Using an external 10 MHz and the firmware reduces
the size of the frequency drifts by updating the corrections to the master
oscillator more frequently. The drift is still there,,,,, With the 49.152
MHz injector board and a good external 49.152 MHz GPS-locked oscillator,
the external oscillator locks the internal oscillator and the drift issue
is eliminated. The drift is probably not important on FM and most may not
notice the issue on SSB. But it is important to eliminate the drift if you
are using JT65 and similar narrow bandwidth modes."
Copied from the Facebook ic-9700 group and a post by Peter Freeman in reply
to Tim Goodrich's question:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/163460540873662/
Bob W7OTJ
On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 1:53 PM Bob Hammond <propgrinder@?????.???> wrote:
> Eric,
>
> I found much information on the design and benefits of a GPSDO and
> reference board for the IC-9700 here:
>
> https://www.minikits.com.au/gps9700#wspr
>
> The Mini-Kits version is only slightly different than the Leo Bodnar
> version however the designs are virtually identical.
>
>
>
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=301
>
>
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=352
>
> Bob W7OTJ
>
> On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 8:16 AM kd8drg.admin--- via AMSAT-BB <
> amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>
>> I was wondering what the advantage is for using this board vs the
>> standard 10Mhz external reference on the 9700?
>>
>> 73
>> Eric
>> WD8KNL
>> _______________________________________________
>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>
>
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:31:51 -0800
From: Kevin <wa7fwf@?????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HuskySat-1: Telemetry, "FWD Power"
Message-ID: <15e53373-6134-863d-d769-e477a8b3a01d@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
I also noticed it Roy, enough of a difference that I looked up the power
output in the telem and saw that at least according to it power has been
dropped. I'm running a m2 436cp30 at 30 feet with a SSB preamp, and
previously I have seen S9+ signals, the last couple of passes have been
S5-S6 on a IC-9100.
?Now it is winter and cloud cover makes a difference and if I have a
inch of inch around the antenna I hear? "nothing" and of course there is
propagation as a variable, but something has changed.
The command ops are the only ones that can really confirm the power change.
73 Kevin wa7fwf
On 2/15/2020 11:59, Roy Dean via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> Is HuskySat really only transmitting with 13 mW? If yes, is that
> healthy? If no, what does that value represent?
>
> --Roy
> K3RLD
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 17:35:31 -0500
From: Burns Fisher <wb1fj-bb@??????.??>
To: Mike Lucas <documike@???????.???>
Cc: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HuskySat-1: Telemetry, "FWD Power"
Message-ID:
<CABX7KxVGsN7rfeOp8Whb+eQq3fVp0cVwC1ptt6UUxdMReWoPrQ@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Could you take a look at the "measurements" page on the HuskySat tab and
click on "RF Power" to get a graph of the power that you have been
receiving? Mine varies between about -77.5dBm and about 60dBm, (of course
it changes during a pass) but I don't see much of a difference in the last
day or 2.
Thanks...
On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 4:50 PM Mike Lucas via AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
wrote:
> This concurs with my observations the past couple of days also.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb-bounces@?????.???> On Behalf Of JoAnne K9JKM via
> AMSAT-BB
> Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2020 1:39 PM
> To: amsat-bb@?????.???
> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] HuskySat-1: Telemetry, "FWD Power"
>
> Hi Chris and Roy,
>
> > ... we can't see a difference in the received signal > strength on the
> ground, but any independent validation of that is > greatfully received.
>
> Subjective observation is that my received signal seemed weaker for the
> past
> 2 or so days. The antenna I'm using is a 7 element yagi on 435.800 at 20
> degrees fixed elevation on a TV rotor. I've only been able to capture fewer
> than 50% of the packets compared with reception earlier in the week.
>
> I live on a 100% wooded lot (no leaves since its winter) but all the trees
> are frosted ala winter wonderland style from passing weather systems since
> last Thursday. The trees introduce a lot of variability in my received
> signal depending on which tree I'm pointed at. But my received signal on
> 435.800 has been noticeably lower even at the "good"
> patches of sky.
>
> My HuskySat telemetry at 2125Z said Forward Power = 13.4 mW.
>
> --
> 73 de JoAnne K9JKM
> k9jkm@?????.???
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:57:13 -0800
From: Kevin <wa7fwf@?????.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Leo Bodnar ICOM IC-9700 Reference Injection
Board
Message-ID: <0d04e9e1-7122-254b-442a-808bd3213b11@?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
I wonder if anyone who has all the needed equipment to test has verified
that the output of the 9700 is still clean after this mod?
?? In the past ext reflock boards compared the radios osc to a gps
locked 10mhz signal and adjusted the trim voltage going to the vctcxo so
levels were not touched, the radio was as clean or dirty as it was when
it left the factory.
? Now with this mod (if I understand it correctly) the main osc is
still running and they are just pumping a much stronger signal into the
master osc area until it drowns out the original osc and the radio locks
to it.? So the question comes up are they then overdriving the osc chain
downline and distorting? and is the original osc signal still there in
the background now as noise?
Might be a interesting project to find out.
73 Kevin wa7fwf
On 2/15/2020 14:08, Bob Hammond via AMSAT-BB wrote:
> This is a good explanation:
>
> "With the current firmware, users have observed frequency drift when using
> narrow bandwidth modes. Using an external 10 MHz and the firmware reduces
> the size of the frequency drifts by updating the corrections to the master
> oscillator more frequently. The drift is still there,,,,, With the 49.152
> MHz injector board and a good external 49.152 MHz GPS-locked oscillator,
> the external oscillator locks the internal oscillator and the drift issue
> is eliminated. The drift is probably not important on FM and most may not
> notice the issue on SSB. But it is important to eliminate the drift if you
> are using JT65 and similar narrow bandwidth modes."
>
> Copied from the Facebook ic-9700 group and a post by Peter Freeman in reply
> to Tim Goodrich's question:
> https://www.facebook.com/groups/163460540873662/
>
> Bob W7OTJ
>
> On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 1:53 PM Bob Hammond <propgrinder@?????.???> wrote:
>
>> Eric,
>>
>> I found much information on the design and benefits of a GPSDO and
>> reference board for the IC-9700 here:
>>
>> https://www.minikits.com.au/gps9700#wspr
>>
>> The Mini-Kits version is only slightly different than the Leo Bodnar
>> version however the designs are virtually identical.
>>
>>
>>
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=301
>>
>>
http://www.leobodnar.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=352
>>
>> Bob W7OTJ
>>
>> On Sat, Feb 15, 2020 at 8:16 AM kd8drg.admin--- via AMSAT-BB <
>> amsat-bb@?????.???> wrote:
>>
>>> I was wondering what the advantage is for using this board vs the
>>> standard 10Mhz external reference on the 9700?
>>>
>>> 73
>>> Eric
>>> WD8KNL
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
>>> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>>>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@?????.???. 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-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program!
> Subscription settings: https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 21:52:50 +0000
From: "D. Craig Fox" <DCFox@??????.???>
To: "amsat-bb@?????.???? <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: [amsat-bb] IC-9700 drift solution
Message-ID: <437d90bc6ffa4b128e1fa14da39ff38b@??????.???.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
I hope this doesn?t violate BB protocol, but given the interest in adding
freq stability to the 9700, I thought this post from the moon-net might be
of interest (and I don?t even own a 9700). I expect PA2V can be found on QRZ
73, Craig
N6RSX
Hi all,
As earlier announced on here I installed a 49.152 MHz oscillator (PLL) that
will lock on 10 MHz into my IC9700.
I have tested it for a week now and compared it to my K3 with transverter.
My K3 and transverter are locked on 10 MHz too.
During the whole week there was no difference in frequency between both
setups.
The drift problem on the ICOM IC9700 is solved!
It is a simple job without really changing the rig hardware.
The PLL can be installed into the 9700 but if one want it outside, it is
possible too.
You need a 10 MHz reference for this mod.
I have made a description but it is a bit too big to post it on here.
The file with pictures is 4 MB and available in Dutch and English.
It describes the items you need and how to install and setup the rig.
Also it refer to the hams and organisations who did a major job on this too.
Total investment for this mod will be around ?90 depending on shipments
costs and eventually import tax.
Hopefully ICOM will finally install this simple solution in future models.
After all it is just a solution for a big mistake from their engineers.
73, Peter PA2V
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 16:58:40 -0700
From: Sarah Rogers <sroger13@???.???>
To: amsat-bb@?????.???
Subject: [amsat-bb] (UPDATE) ISS CubeSat Deployment - Scheduled for
2/19
Message-ID:
<CALbMKdd+hVojy-4mKhop8LKkag5Qbqe0NGRApSzsrKRO9GhArQ@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Hello, everyone,
Following the successful launch of NG-13 this afternoon, the upcoming
CubeSat deployment from the ISS *is now scheduled for 2/19!* This
deployment times and frequencies for the CubeSats being deployed on this
date are listed in the table below.
As a member of the Phoenix CubeSat team, it would help us greatly to have
as much help as possible with tracking our spacecraft following deployment!
For more information on Phoenix's transceiver characteristics and how you
can decode packets from our spacecraft, please see our operations page:
http://phxcubesat.asu.edu/content/amateur-operations
If you have any questions regarding deployment or tracking Phoenix, please
do not hesitate to reach out to me.
CubeSat Downlink (MHz) Uplink (MHz) Deployment Time (UTC)
RadSat-u 437.425 437.425 7:10
*Phoenix* *437.35* *437.35* *9:35*
QARMAN 437.35 437.35 11:20
CryoCube 2261 2082.004 12:55
AztechSat-1 437.3 437.3 12:55
SOCRATES 914.7 914.7 14:30
Argus-02 437.29 437.29 16:00
HARP 468 450 16:00
SORTIE 468 450 17:40
Cheers,
Sarah Rogers
Project Manager, Phoenix CubeSat
------------------------------
Message: 8
Date: Sat, 15 Feb 2020 16:00:08 -0800
From: Paul Stoetzer <n8hm@????.???>
To: ans@?????.???? AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@?????.???>
Subject: [amsat-bb] ANS-047 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
Message-ID:
<CABzOSOp3hoPw=85tVHBcGXTH9+mcPPRUeKKdxfO309HC1eMwkQ@????.?????.???>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-047
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation 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 commun-
icating 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:
* AMSAT-OSCAR 85 Declared End of Mission
* HuskySat-1 Update
* Update from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG
* Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites"
Available for New or Renewing Members
* Apogee View - January/February 2020
* 5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Satellites
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 13, 2020
* Upcoming ARISS Contacts
* Upcoming AMSAT Events
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-047.01
ANS-047 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 047.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE February 16, 2020
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-047.01
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT's GOLF-TEE satellite recently reached a major milestone
when prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the first time.
Help support AMSAT's path back to HEO by donating today!
https://www.amsat.org/donations/amsat-golf-program-donations/
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
AMSAT-OSCAR 85 Declared End of Mission
After a long decline in the health of its batteries, AO-85 has gone
silent. Having not been heard throughout the most recent period of
full illumination, it is reasonable to believe the batteries have
deteriorated to the point of no longer being able to power the trans-
mitter. Should some future event cause a cell to open, it is possible
the satellite may be heard again, but for now it is time to declare
end-of-mission.
AO-85 was conceived as the first AMSAT cubesat, and was designed to be
a successor to the popular AO-51 microsat. Accepted into the NASA
CubeSat Launch Initative in February 2012, AO-85 was launched October
8, 2015. AO-85's success led to further Fox satellites AO-91, AO-92,
AO-95, and RadFxSat2 / Fox-1E which will be launched later this year.
The Fox-1E transponder was also spun off into a radio system now in
orbitonboard HuskySat-1, and soon to be in several other university
cubesats.
Development continues on GOLF-TEE and GOLF-1, which will include a
legacy V/u linear transponder and a SDR-based multiband uplink and 10
GHz downlink radio system. Your continued support of AMSAT by member-
ship and donations will help us Keep Amateur Radio in Space.
[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT Vice President - Operations
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
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
HuskySat-1 Update
Students in the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington
have been celebrating successes since HuskySat-1, a student built sat-
ellite weighing about 9 lbs, deployed into space on Friday, January
31st:
? After being deployed, HuskySat turned on, deployed the antennas on
the first attempt, and start transmitting in a designated "safe mode".
? On the first active pass over Seattle, just 2 hours after deploy-
ment, students used the UW ground station to command the satellite to
change operational modes.
? With help from AMSAT and the network of amateurs across the globe,
the HuskySat team has been able to closely track the health of the
satellite. Health data includes temperatures, battery charge state,
and solar panel charging.
? Over the weekend, the camera payload took and transmitted the first
pictures from space! The camera included collaboration with Raisbeck
Aviation High School and nonprofit Quick2Space.
Commissioning of the satellite systems is still underway. The sat-
ellite has actually been in space inside a Nanoracks deployer since
launch on Nov 2nd. The main research goal of satellite is to demon-
strate the new propulsion and communication technologies on the sat-
ellite. At the completion of the research phase, the satellite will be
utilized as an amateur transponder.
The mission of the UW program, housed in the Department of Earth and
Space Sciences, is to foster interdisciplinary student participation
in space systems research, to inspire and train future space scien-
tists and engineers, and to advance spacecraft capabilities at the
University of Washington.
On February 15th, AMSAT Vice President - Engineering Jerry Buxton,
N0JY, hosted a Twitch stream to discuss the AMSAT Linear Transponder
Module (LTM-1) and HuskySat-1. You can see a replay of the livestream
at https://www.twitch.tv/videos/552209241
[ANS thanks Paige Northway of the HuskySat-1 team and Jerry Buxton,
N0JY, AMSAT Vice President - Engineering, for the above information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Update from AMSAT President Clayton Coleman, W5PFG
I am humbled by the greetings and congratulatory messages received
over the past ten days since becoming the President of AMSAT. Please
join me in expressing gratitude to our immediate past president Joe
Spier, K6WAO, for his dedication to AMSAT?s mission of Keeping Amateur
Radio in Space.
It was a pleasure to speak with many of our members at the Orlando
Hamcation last weekend. Attending Hamcation afforded me the opportun-
ity to meet with many of our volunteers and reach out to other organi-
zations in amateur radio such as the ARRL and the Dayton Amateur Radio
Association.
My priority, now underway, is to ensure all Directors have equal
access to AMSAT resources to perform their duties. AMSAT complies with
Section 29-413.05 of the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation
Act of 2010. Most of the information Directors use to perform their
duties are already publicly available on the Internet on our website,
published in the AMSAT News Service (ANS), and often in print as part
of The AMSAT Journal. These resources are not password protected and
can be viewed by members and non-members alike.
Once I?ve had an opportunity to speak individually with the Directors,
I will convene a Board of Directors teleconference to address out-
standing business. At any time, three Directors may call on the Pres-
ident to schedule a Board of Directors meeting, per our bylaws Article
II, Section 5, Paragraph A.
73,
Clayton
W5PFG
AMSAT President
[ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President, for the above
information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Free Digital Copy of "Getting Started with Amateur Satellites" Avail-
able for New or Renewing Members
While HuskySat-1 completes it's scientific mission, check out the best
resource for learning how to work through linear transponder sat-
ellites (and other types of amateur satellites). For a limited time,
AMSAT is making the "Getting Started With Amateur Satellites" book
available 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 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.
If you have trouble selecting your free gift, please see this YouTube
video to see the steps necessary. https://youtu.be/oRqk5Am-UzE
[ANS thanks the AMSAT Office for the above information]
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Apogee View - January/February 2020
Happy New Year! 2020 promises to be an exciting year filled with new
satellites to work and significant progress towards our next genera-
tion of satellites. By the time you read this, HuskySat-1 should be in
orbit and completing its science mission before being turned over to
AMSAT for amateur radio use. I want to congratulate all those involved
with this project both at the University of Washington and on AMSAT?s
Engineering and Operations teams who worked to make this mutually
beneficial partnership happen. More details about HuskySat-1 and our
partnership with the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washing-
ton can be found elsewhere in the January/February 2020 issue of The
AMSAT Journal.
While we look forward to the completion of HuskySat-1's primary miss-
ion, we also await the launch of the final Fox-1 satellite, RadFxSat-2
/ Fox-1E, which is currently scheduled to launch no earlier than the
first quarter of this year on the ELaNa XX mission. The ELaNa XX miss-
ion will fly on the second flight of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne ve-
hicle.
As the Fox project wraps up its series of five 1U CubeSats, progress
continues on GOLF, the next generation of AMSAT satellites. A group of
GOLF-TEE (Greater Orbit Larger Footprint ? Technology Evaluation En-
vironment) satellite prototype boards transmitted telemetry for the
first time on Tuesday, January 14th. During the test, the boards were
laid out on a bench as a "flat-sat" with interconnecting wires, bench
power supplies, and a dummy load on the transmitter. The inter-
connected boards included:
? An early RT-IHU (Radiation Tolerant Internal Housekeeping Unit -
i.e., computer) prototype,
? A CIU (Control Interface Unit) prototype, and
? A set of spare boards from HuskySat-1 that act as prototypes for the
LIHU (Legacy IHU) and legacy VHF/UHF RF components.
Now that the team has reached this point, AMSAT Engineering has RF to
use as a basis for developing a GOLF-TEE decoder for FoxTelem, our
ground telemetry receiver software. Thousands of hours of work by many
AMSAT volunteers have gone into the hardware and software that got us
this far, with much work yet to be done before the assembly of flight
units. The GOLF-TEE satellite is designed as a Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
testbed for technologies necessary for a successful CubeSat mission to
a wide variety of orbits, including MEO (Medium Earth Orbit) and HEO
(High Earth Orbit).
The work on GOLF is intended for our CubeSat missions to higher
orbits. However, much as the Fox-1E linear transponder was adapted as
a payload for HuskySat-1, components developed for GOLF, such as the
RT-IHU and the microwave SDR transponder, can be adapted to serve as
the basis for a hosted payload on a commercial or government sat-
ellite in geostationary orbit or perhaps an educational CubeSat des-
tined for MEO or GTO. Should an opportunity arise, the work being done
on GOLF means that we will be ready to build such a hosted payload.
While we continue our work on these satellites, we face the prospect
of regulatory roadblocks. Last year, we submitted comments on the
Federal Communication Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking re-
garding the mitigation of orbital debris. The proposed rules as worded
would severely limit the type of missions AMSAT could pursue. While
the Commission has not yet issued final rules, we are hopeful that
the near-unanimous opposition of commenters to the more harmful as-
pects of the rules, such as the requirement for satellite operators
to indemnify the United States Government for any potential claims
regarding their satellites, will limit the negative impact.
Another serious concern is our access to spectrum. While international
threats that arose in the months before the 2019 World Radiocommunica-
tion Conference to the 144 MHz ? 146 MHz and 1260 MHz ? 1270 MHz ama-
teur satellite service bands have subsided for the time being, other
threats appear on the horizon. This past December, the FCC issued a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would delete the amateur alloca-
tion at 3.3 GHz ? 3.5 GHz, including the amateur satellite service
allocation at 3.4 GHz ? 3.41 GHz. While that band has not yet been
used for any amateur satellites as it is not available in ITU Region
3 (Asia & Oceania), it is still a potentially useful resource for a
future amateur geostationary payload over the Americas.
Additionally, we know that many AMSAT members also use this band for
other purposes, such as mesh networking, contesting, and EME commun-
ications. Access to microwave spectrum is crucial for many of our
planned activities, including GOLF and amateur radio on the Lunar
Gateway, and we must vigorously defend our spectrum allocations. AMSAT
is currently drafting comments opposing this proposed rule, and,
working alongside the ARRL, we continue to monitor potential legis-
lative and regulatory actions that could limit or even preclude some
of our current and planned activities.
On a final note, I wanted to let the membership know that AMSAT's ser-
vers will be migrating to a new operating system and a new hosting
service later this year. This is necessary as the operating system
currently running AMSAT's servers will reach its end of life in Nov-
ember. While AMSAT's capable IT team led by Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, will
do their best to minimize any disruptions to AMSAT services, this type
of transition can often result in unforeseen problems. Continue to
monitor the AMSAT-BB and AMSAT's Twitter and Facebook accounts for any
updates.
[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive Vice President, for
the above information]
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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
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5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Satellites
The DX Engineering blog On All Bands recently published an article en-
titled "5 Tips on Etiquette and Good Manners on the FM Ham Radio Sat-
ellites" by Sean Kutzko, KX9X.
The article can be found at:
https://www.onallbands.com/ham-radio-satellite-operating-etiquette/
[ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, and DX Engineering for the above infor-
mation]
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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for February 13, 2020
The following Amateur Radio satellite's name and NORAD CAT ID have
been changed:
1. HuskySat 1 satellite name is now HuskySat-1.
2. Based on changes in Space-Track TLE data, HuskySat-1's new NORAD
CAT ID is now object 45119.
(Thanks to Nico Janssen, PA0DLO, for satellite identification.)
[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the
above information]
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Upcoming ARISS Contacts
Maple Dale Elementary School, Cincinnati, OH, direct via K8SCH
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
The scheduled astronaut is Drew Morgan KI5AAA
Contact is go for: Thu 2020-02-20 18:20:28 UTC 48 deg
The ARISS webpage is at https://www.ariss.org/
Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site.
The main page for Applying to Host a Scheduled Contact may be found at
https://www.ariss.org/apply-to-host-an-ariss-contact.html
Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your
own orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the
listed time.
All dates and times listed follow International Standard ISO 8601
and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
[ANS thanks Charlie Sulfana, AJ9N, ARISS Operations, for the above
information]
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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/
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Upcoming AMSAT Events
Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in
space?
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating
through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club
meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
Current schedule:
+ March 6, 2020, Irving Hamfest, Irving, TX
+ March 14-15, 2020, Science City on University of Arizona, Tuscon, AZ
+ March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN
+ March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest, Scottsdale,
AZ
+ March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ
+ March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA
+ May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra
Vista, AZ
+ May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ
+ May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH
+ June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX
A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-026-Hamfest
This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded
into a tri-fold handout.
To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration,
please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org.
[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv-
ices, for the above information]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
Satellite Shorts
Feb 13-16 DM22 AD7DB and N7JY FM
Feb 15 CN78 ADODX FM and Linear (Twitter @??????
Mar 14-15 DN26/36 KC7JPC Linears (and possibly FM)
#SnowBirdRove (EL79) ? February 1-29, 2020
Joe, KE9AJ, will cross the border into Florida, seeking climatical
asylum in EL79 for the entire month of February. Since he will be
there for an extended period, with both FM and linear gear, keep
an eye on Joe?s Twitter feed for specific pass announcements:
https://twitter.com/KE9AJ
St. Barthelemy Island (FK87) February 15-22, 2020
Operators Pat/N2IEN, Ray/W2RE, Rockwell/WW1X, and Lee/WW2DX will
be signing FJ/homecalls from St. Barthelemy (NA-146) between Feb.
15 and 22. QRV holiday-style on 160 to 6m and via satellite on CW,
SSB, and digital modes. QSL cards for all calls via NR6M.
Vidalia, LA (EM41) February 28 ? March 1, 2020
Brian, KG5GJT, will will be operating from the bank of the Miss-
issippi river in Vidalia, La. (EM41), where Jim Bowie was serious-
ly wounded in the Sandbar Fight on September 19, 1827. This will
be vacation style, so keep an eye on Brian?s Twitter feed for up-
dates: https://twitter.com/KG5GJT
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
[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT Vice President - User Serv-
ices, for the above information]
Operators Alex/VE1RUS and Pierre/VE3TKB will once again be active as
VY0ERC from the Eureka Weather station between now and March 28th.
This station is operated by the Eureka Amateur Radio Club [probably
the most northerly located amateur radio club in the world] from
Eureka, Nunavut, Canada. The suggested bands are 40 and 20 meters
possibly 80m), as well as FM satellites (from ER60, EQ79) using SSB,
the Digital modes (FT8 and RTTY) and very slow CW. Activity will be
limited to their spare time. QSL via M0OXO, OQRS or direct. For up-
dates, see: https://twitter.com/vy0erc
[ANS thanks The Ohio/Penn Dx Bulletin for the above information]
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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/
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Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ The Nanoracks deployment of several CubeSats has been delayed until
no earlier than February 17 due to delays with the launch of Cygnus
NG-13. CubeSats scheduled to deploy are RadSat-u, Phoenix, QARMAN,
CryoCube, AztechSat-1, SOCRATES, Argus-02, HARP, and SORTIE.
+ AMSAT-UK OSCAR News Editor Slade Stevens, 2E0SQL, is soliciting
articles for the next issue. Send submissions to 2E0SQB at amsat.org
+ The AMSAT-UK shop is now stocking a 5 watt 2.4 GHz amplifier kit for
use with the QO-100 geostationary satellite. For more details, see
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-QO-100
+ The first crewed mission of the SpaceX Crew Dragon may launch on May
7th. https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-SpaceX
+ Wouter Weggelaar, PA3WEG, recently released a composite video show-
ing all currently orbiting FUNcube family satellites being launched:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdjXzPEsuxw
+ The EIRSAT-1 CubeSat has passed both environmental and vibration
testing:
https://twitter.com/EIRSAT1/status/1225810684065259520
+ Spaceflight Industries recently signed a deal to sell its satellite
rideshare launch business Spaceflight, Inc. to Mitsui & Co., in part-
nership with Yamasa Co., Ltd. AMSAT purchased the launches for AO-92
and AO-95 from Spaceflight, Inc.
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-047-Spaceflight
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
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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,
Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
n8hm at amsat dot org
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Subject: Digest Footer
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@?????.???.
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!
https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
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End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 15, Issue 46
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