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To : SATDIG@WW
Today's Topics:
1. ANS-078 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (Joe Spier)
2. Hard times for satellite radio buyers? (Ken M)
3. Re: Hard times for satellite radio buyers? (Bill Booth)
4. Landwehr Pre-amps (Mark Johns)
5. Kam Plus TNC Modem - AGWPE - UISS (Kurt Heernaert)
6. Re: Hard times for satellite radio buyers? (Mike Sprenger)
7. Re: Hard times for satellite radio buyers? (Steve May)
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Message: 1
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 00:08:48 -0700
From: Joe Spier <wao@xxx.xxx>
To: ans@xxxxx.xxxx amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] ANS-078 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
Message-ID: <4f2bd29f-dc90-54b7-f7c3-91519fe56494@xxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8; format=flowed
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-078
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur
Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building,
launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio
satellites.
The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.
In this edition:
* AMSAT Ground Terminal Weekly Report for March 7, 2017
* AMSAT SA to Sponsor SDR Workshop in Cape Town
* CAS-4A and CAS-4B Linear Transponder Frequencies Announced
* IARU Page Proposed South Korean Satellite
* ARISS Closer to Launching New Radio System
* AMSAT Awards Update
* 6E3MAYA on Satellites March 18-21
* AMSAT Events
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts from All Over
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-078.01
ANS-078 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 078.01
>From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE March 19, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-078.01
---------------------------------------------------------------------
AMSAT Ground Terminal Weekly Report for March 7, 2017
We kick off this week?s report with two demonstrations of DVB-S2
transmission from the LimeSDR. The first from Charles Brain G4GUO, and
the second from Paul KB5MU and Michelle W5NYV. Charles has live video
and Paul and Michelle are transmitting a pre-recorded work of art called
Adventure Time.
Mike Seguin N1JEZ has some LimeSDR spectral analysis to report.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZNshry3sZU
First, 850 MHz Phase Noise 10 kHz offset 1 kHz resolution bandwidth
-58.36 ? 10LOGBW = -88.36 dBc/Hz
If I read the LMS7002M Spec sheet right, it should be down around -96
dBc/Hz? PDF is in the Phase 4 Ground Github link is in the show notes.
https://github.com/?/d?/tree/master/Engineering/SDRs/LimeSDR
Second, 2850 MHz Phase Noise 10 kHz offset 1 kHz resolution bandwidth
-49 ? 10LOGBW = -79 dBc/Hz spec around -87 dBc/Hz?
Third image is at 2850 MHz ?200 kHz
Check out those curious 200 kHz spurs
Fourth image is 2850 MHz 100 MHz Span
A broader view ? we need to go digging deeper.
Final image is 2850 MHz 388 kHz spur
small spur on the low side?
Output power varies. He?s seen upwards of +15 dBm. He is powering the
LimeSDR board off an external supply.
He is using LimeSuite to set up the transmit output on TX1-1. There are
so many settings it?s possible/probable we?re missing something.
He has also have done rudimentary noise figure measurements. Paul, W1GHZ
loaned him a homebrew noise head he had built from his QEX article in
1996? on Noise Figure. He used it to measure the NF, but had to rely on
a chart for ENR. So assumptions!!! He found he definitely had to use a
preamp in front of the Lime. He used an AD6IW wideband pre for testing.
?I need to do more real world tests on the bands?.? -Mike Seguin
In the next segment of this report Paul described how to use the
examples folder in GNU Radio to get to the DVB flowgraphs we?ve been
using for experiments.
Charles G4GUO shares his plan for next steps for DVB-S2 receive. He is
looking at how to do the front end that finds the start of a frame and
compensates for frequency error. He is pondering how to do this and has
some ideas. He also has the low density parity check (LDPC) decoder to
do but has not yet planned it out. He has the BCH decoder done and the
bit that decodes the preamble code FEC.
Charles explains that the whole of DVB-S2 has been designed for the
parallel processing powers of ASICs/FPGAs/GPUs. He has decided to attack
the problem using GPUs.
He asserts that GPUs don?t have such a steep learning curve as some of
the other technologies. He believes that the symbol tracking and root
raised cosine filtering is best done in the FPGA on the LimeSDR. His
thoughts are to re-write some of the Lime code so he can alter the ADC
sample rate in fractions of a symbol. Then use the host to calculate the
timing error and send the correction to the Lime FPGA code. The Lime can
also do fine frequency error correction using a complex mixer. The error
can be calculated in the host from the phase change in the preamble
sequence.
The central question is how to fit it into the memory model of the GPU
to keep all the threads fully occupied. This means properly balancing
the combination of LDPC decoding, parallel thinking and NVIDIA GPU
programming. One of the many questions he has is how to cope with the
final XOR of the parity bit for each block as that makes every bit in
the whole thing dependent on every other bit. He believes that there
must be a short cut so you can break the problem at the receiver down
into a load of independent blocks (divide and conquer).
It is all very DVBS2 specific but when a sub block of the code meets a
condition where all its parity check equation are correct it can be
marked as finished and the decoder can then move on to the next sub
block. It requires a lot of thinking about and Charles welcomes your
feedback.
So! Lots of programming! We are here to help with this effort! It?s
going to be a big one.
Please join AMSAT, TAPR, ARRL, and any other local or regional club that
is helping advance the state of the art in amateur radio. Projects like
ours cannot exist without your membership.
http://www.amsat.org/?p=5875
[ANS thanks Michelle Thompson, W5NYV and the AMSAT Ground Terminal Team
for the above information]
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AMSAT SA to Sponsor SDR Workshop in Cape Town
SDR workshop in Cape Town on 22 April. Following on a very successful
symposium on Software Defined Radio held in Gauteng towards the end of
last year, a similar event will be presented by AMSAT SA in the Cape on
Saturday 22 April 2017 at the Bellville Campus of the Cape Peninsula
University of Technology. To register visit
http://www.amsatsa.org.za/
[ANS thanks the South African Radio League News for the above information]
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CAS-4A and CAS-4B Linear Transponder Frequencies Announced
CAMSAT has worked closely with a Beijing Government aerospace contractor
to build two satellites with amateur radio linear transponder payloads.
IARU record a launch had been planned for March 31, 2017 from Taiyuan
into a 524 km orbit with an inclination of 42 degrees.
Both will carry a 435/145 (U/V) 20 dBm (100 milliwatt) SSB/CW linear
transponder, a 2m CW 17 dBm (50 mW) telemetry beacon and an AX.25 4.8
kbps GMSK 20 dBm (100 mW) telemetry downlink.
The two micro-satellites will also carry optical remote sensing
missions. Planned to be 494x499x630 mm dimension regular square shape
and approximately 50 kg mass with three-axis stabilization system.
These frequencies have been coordinated by the IARU Satellite Frequency
Coordination Panel:
CAS-4A
? Linear transponder downlink 145.870 MHz, emission designator
20K0V8WWF, output power 20 dBm
? Linear transponder uplink 435.220 MHz
? CW telemetry beacon 145.855 MHz, emission designator 100HA1AAN, output
power 17 dBm
? GMSK telemetry 145.835 MHz, emission designator 16K0F1DCN, output
power 20 dBm
CAS-4B
? Linear transponder downlink 145.925 MHz, emission designator
20K0V8WWF, output power 20 dBm
? Linear transponder uplink 435.280 MHz
? CW telemetry beacon 145.910 MHz, emission designator 100HA1AAN, output
power 17 dBm
? GMSK telemetry 145.890 MHz, emission designator 16K0F1DCN, output
power 20 dBm
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and Trevor, M5AKA for the above information]
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IARU Page Shows Proposed South Korean Satellite K2SAT
The Republic of Korea Air Force Academy has applied to the IARU for
coordination of its' K2SAT satellite frequencies.
Headline Details:
A 3U CubeSat. The missions of the K2SAT are to demonstrate satellite
imaging and transfer, and secondly to test voice repeating capability.
The payloads:
1. On-board camera 2. On-board voice repeater. Attitude control will be
performed with 3-axis reaction wheels and magnetorquer. The satellite
surface that contains the main payload(Camera) shall be aligned to the
nadir direction of the satellite. Requesting coordination for a V/U
transponder. The TX would also be capable of downlinking AX25 telemetry
at 9k6 using BPSK. Planning a 2018 launch into a 500 or 600km SSO.
[ANS thanks the IARU Page for the above information]
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ARISS Closer to Launching New Radio System
March 13, 2017: The ARISS team took a giant step closer to flying the
new ARISS Interoperable Radio System to the International Space Station,
having met a major milestone. Lou McFadin, W5DID, and Kerry Banke,
N6IZW, travelled to the NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston,
Texas, in mid-February for preliminary testing of Banke's breadboard
version of the ARISS Multi-voltage Power Supply. The two worked
alongside JSC engineers and JSC EMC lab personnel, putting the specially
built power supply through its paces, checking against US and Russian
space specifications for Power Quality and Electromagnetic Compatibility
(EMC) preliminary tests.
The result: Outstanding news-the ARISS Team can move on to the next
step, fabrication of prototype and flight units. The JSC engineers
disclosed that the ARISS breadboard power supply was the first hardware
to have passed all of the space agencies' tests! They said the very
professional ARISS Team certainly knew hardware development and design.
ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer thanked Banke and McFadin for the
multiple days spent putting the unit through the serious battery of NASA
and Russian preliminary electrical tests. Banke expressed pleasure with
the results: "I was looking to come away with what we needed to move
forward. We achieved that." He was impressed with the support he and
McFadin received from the testing group, and said key players on those
teams who are also ham radio operators, commented that they find
equipment brought in that is supported by ham radio operators, to earn
particularly good marks. McFadin asserted that the Multi-voltage Power
Supply's fine test results are due to ARISS's team working very well
together and being very experienced.
The completed testing of the breadboard unit means McFadin can now
purchase expensive space-certified parts so the final prototype/flight
power supplies can be fabricated. He and Banke now know that when the
final, even more rigorous tests are done, the units will pass with
flying colors.
Watch for more news stories on the hardware and the fundraising campaign
to help support the costs associated with designing, building, and
testing the new ARISS radio system-the Kenwood D710GA and Multi-voltage
Power Supply. Those wishing to contribute toward the final fabrication
and flight tests are highly appreciated and asked to go to the AMSAT
website, www.amsat.org, to click on the "ARISS Donate" button. Or
visit the donation page on the ARISS website,
http://www.ariss.org/donate.html. Contributions are tax deductible.
Those who contribute $100 or more will receive the handsome ARISS
Challenge Coin. If you or your ham club or place of employment wish to
make a highly substantial contribution, contact Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, at
ka3hdo@xxxxxxx.xxx.
About ARISS
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a
cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the
space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In
the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
(AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the Center for the
Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA). The primary goal of ARISS is to promote
exploration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
topics by organizing scheduled contacts via amateur radio between crew
members aboard the ISS and students in classrooms or informal education
venues. With the help of experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS
crews speak directly with large audiences in a variety of public
forums. Before and during these radio contacts, students, teachers,
parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and
amateur radio. For more
information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org.
Also, join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space
Station (ARISS) / Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status
[ANS thanks David Jordan, AA4KN for the above information]
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AMSAT Awards Update
This is the first posting of awards for 2017. The year started slow and
then picked up with the following earning their awards.
AMSAT Satellite Communicators Award for making their first satellite QSO
Christopher Hobbs, KD5RYO
Frank Garofalo, WA2NDV
Milan Stancel, OM4MX
------
AMSAT Communications Achievement Award
Adrian Liggins, VA3NNA, #575
Matthew Stevens, KK4FEM, #576
Milan Stancel, OM4MX, #577
------
AMSAT Sexagesimal Award
Ronald Parsons, W5RKN, #178
Matthew Stevens, KK4FEM, #179
------
AMSAT Century Club Award
Frank Westphal, K6FW, #49
Toralf Renkwitz, DJ7MS, #50
Ronald Oldham, N8RO, #51
------
South Africa Satellite Communications Achievement Award
Adrian Liggins, VA3NNA, #US202
Matthew Stevens, KK4FEM, #US203
Milan Stancel, OM4MX, #US204
------
AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award
Cleber Rodrigues, PY3TX, #88
Paul Stoezter, N8HM, Upgrade to 4000
Frank Westphal, K6FW, Upgrade to 2000
John Papay, K8YSE/7, Upgrade to 3000
------
AMSAT Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award
Ronald Parsons, W5RKN, #89
Milan Stancel, OM4MX, #90
------
To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or
http://www.amsatnet.com/awards.html
[ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director Contests and Awards
for the above information]
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6E3MAYA on Satellites March 18-21
Mexico trip includes satellite operating plans:
XE, Mexico:
A group of Mexican amateurs plans to visit archaeological sites of
Maya culture in Yucatan, Campeche, Tabasco, Chiapas, and Quintana
Roo from the 18th to 21st. QRV with the call 6E3MAYA on 80-6m on
SSB, CW, digital modes and via satellites. QSL via XE3N, LoTW.
[ANS thanks the DARC DX Newsletter DXNL 2032 March 15, 2017 for the
above information]
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AMSAT Events
Information about AMSAT activities at other important events around
the country. Examples of these events are radio club meetings where
AMSAT Area Coordinators give presentations, demonstrations of working
amateur satellites, and hamfests with an AMSAT presence (a table with
AMSAT literature and merchandise, sometimes also with presentations,
forums, and/or demonstrations).
*Friday through Sunday, 31 March?2 April 2017, NVCON in Las Vegas NV
*Wednesday, 5 April 2007 ? presentation for Scottsdale Amateur Radio
Club in Scottsdale AZ
*Friday and Saturday, 7-8 April 2017, Green Country Hamfest in
Claremore OK
*Saturday, 6 May 2017 ? Cochise Amateur Radio Association hamfest in
Sierra Vista AZ
*19-21 May 2017, HamVention in the Greene County Fairgrounds and
Expo Center, Dayton, Ohio
*Friday and Saturday, 9-10 June 2017, HAM-COM in Irving TX
*Saturday, 10 June 2017 ? Prescott Hamfest in Prescott AZ
[ANS thanks AMSAT-NA for the above information]
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ARISS News
Successful Contacts
* A direct contact with students at McBride High School, Long Beach,
CA, USA was successful Wed 2017-03-15 16:28:44 UTC 25 deg. Astronaut
Thomas Pesquet, KG5FYG answered all 19 questions prepared by students.
Upcoming Contacts
* A telebridge contact via W6SRJ with students at ?School of Trois
Paletuviers?, Saint-Georges de l'Oyapock, French Guyana, is presently
scheduled Thu 2017-03-23 12:42:26 UTC 61 deg. with Astronaut Thomas
Pesquet KG5FYG.
Trois Pal?tuviers is a small native people village of French Guyane, set
between the Amazonian forest and the majestic Oyapock River, a natural
border with Brazil. It is accessed only by dugout and the journey takes
place in one hour. On site, no electricity during the day, internet and
telephone recently, but a quality of life preserved, which in no way
excludes projects and achievements in order to help envisage the future
in a dynamic and optimistic way. The village comprises a population of
180 inhabitants, exclusively Native Americans and many of whom have
strong ties with Brazil.
The school hosts about fifty students divided into 2 classes: a
kindergarten from the PS to the GS, an elementary from the CP to the
CM2. In addition to the usual teachings, the school offers activities
that enable you to travel and make contact with the outside of the
village. So :
The "chess game for academic success" has been helping since 2006 to
reason and confidence in its abilities,
The theater club has already performed several times in French Guiana.
A highly eclectic choir gives everyone the opportunity to express
themselves.
In addition, there are urban dance classes, numerous programs and
projects related to the environment, space, health and so on.
Another peculiarity is that a school for parents has been in place since
2011.
For the liaison with the ISS, the pupils will travel 1 hour of canoe
motor and 3 hours of road.
* A direct contact via AA4UT with students at the Student Space
Technology Association, Knoxville, TN, USA will be rescheduled.
The University of Tennessee Knoxville is an amazing school located in
the hills of Tennessee. It is the largest campus in the state, hosting
more than 30,000 students. This school is known for its engineering and
science heritage, having close ties with research facilities such as Oak
Ridge National Lab and companies like Alcoa. Also, included in our
alumni are 9 astronauts including the recent ISS inhabitant Scott Kelly.
Our school is filled with thousands of eager students seeking to pursue
careers in the space industry. With our vision of becoming a top-tier
research school, our students are set to become the next leaders in STEM
industries.
**********************************************************************
ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above
contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel
free to send your reports to aj9n@xxxxx.xxx or aj9n@xxx.xxx.
**********************************************************************
Message to US Educators
Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
Contact Opportunity
Call for Proposals
Proposal Window February 15 ? April 15, 2017
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Program is
seeking formal and informal education institutions and organizations,
individually or working together, to host an Amateur Radio contact with
a crew member on board the ISS. ARISS anticipates that the contact
would be held between January 1, 2018 and June 30, 2018. Crew
scheduling and ISS orbits will determine the exact contact dates. To
maximize these radio contact opportunities, ARISS is ;
looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of
participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education
plan.
The deadline to submit a proposal is April 15, 2017. Proposal
information and documents can be found at
www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact.
The Opportunity
Crew members aboard the International Space Station will participate in
scheduled Amateur Radio contacts. These radio contacts are
approximately 10 minutes in length and allow students to interact with
the astronauts through a question-and-answer session.
An ARISS contact is a voice-only communication opportunity via Amateur
Radio between astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the space station and
classrooms and communities. ARISS contacts afford education audiences
the opportunity to learn firsthand from astronauts what it is like to
live and work in space and to learn about space research conducted on
the ISS. Students also will have an opportunity to learn about
satellite communication, wireless technology, and radio science.
Because of the nature of human spaceflight and the complexity of
scheduling activities aboard the ISS, organizations must demonstrate
flexibility to accommodate changes in dates and times of the radio contact.
Amateur Radio organizations around the world, NASA, and space agencies
in Russia, Canada, Japan and Europe sponsor this educational opportunity
by providing the equipment and operational support to enable direct
communication between crew on the ISS and students around the world via
Amateur Radio.
In the US, the program is managed by AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation) and ARRL (American Radio Relay League) in partnership with
NASA and CASIS (Center for the Advancement of Science in Space).
More Information
Interested parties can find more information about the program at
www.ariss.org and www.arrl.org/ARISS.
For proposal information and more details such as expectations,
proposal guidelines and proposal form, and dates and times of
Information Sessions go to
http://www.arrl.org/hosting-an-ariss-contact.
Please direct any questions to
ariss@xxxx.xxx.
**********************************************************************
ARISS is always glad to receive listener reports for the above
contacts. ARISS thanks everyone in advance for their assistance. Feel
free to send your reports to aj9n@xxxxx.xxx or aj9n@xxx.xxx.
Listen for the ISS on the downlink of 145.8? MHz.
**********************************************************************
All ARISS contacts are made via the Kenwood radio unless otherwise noted.
**********************************************************************
Several of you have sent me emails asking about the RAC ARISS website
and not being able to get in. That has now been changed to
http://www.ariss.org/
Note that there are links to other ARISS websites from this site.
**********************************************************************
Looking for something new to do? How about receiving DATV from the ISS?
If interested, then please go to the ARISS-EU website for complete
details. Look for the buttons indicating Ham Video.
http://www.ariss-eu.org/
If you need some assistance, ARISS mentor Kerry N6IZW, might be able to
provide some insight. Contact Kerry at
kbanke@xxxxxxxxx.xxx
**********************************************************************
ARISS congratulations the following mentors who have now mentored over 100
schools:
Satoshi 7M3TJZ with 123
Gaston ON4WF with 123
Francesco IK?WGF with 119
**********************************************************************
The webpages listed below were all reviewed for accuracy. Out of date
webpages were removed and new ones have been added. If there are
additional ARISS websites I need to know about, please let me know.
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 date
and time format YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS
The complete schedule page has been updated as of 2017-03-09 05:00 UTC.
Here you will find a listing of all scheduled school contacts, and
questions, other ISS related websites, IRLP and Echolink websites, and
instructions for any contact that may be streamed live.
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.txt
Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school events is 1116.
Each school counts as 1 event.
Total number of ARISS ISS to earth school contacts is 1080.
Each contact may have multiple schools sharing the same time slot.
Total number of ARISS supported terrestrial contacts is 47.
A complete year by year breakdown of the contacts may be found in the
file.
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/arissnews.rtf
Please feel free to contact me if more detailed statistics are needed.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The following US states and entities have never had an ARISS contact:
Arkansas, Delaware, South Dakota, Wyoming, American Samoa, Guam,
Northern Marianas Islands, and the Virgin Islands.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
QSL information may be found at:
http://www.ariss.org/qsl-cards.html
ISS callsigns: DP?ISS, IR?ISS, NA1SS, OR4ISS, RS?ISS
**********************************************************************
The successful school list has been updated as of 2017-02-23 05:00 UTC.
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/Successful_ARISS_schools.rtf
Frequency chart for packet, voice, and crossband repeater modes showing
Doppler correction as of 2005-07-29 04:00 UTC
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ISS_frequencies_and_Doppler_correction.r
tf
Listing of ARISS related magazine articles as of 2006-07-10 03:30 UTC.
http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/news/ARISS_magazine_articles.rtf
Check out the Zoho reports of the ARISS contacts
https://reports.zoho.com/ZDBDataSheetView.cc?DBID=412218000000020415
**********************************************************************
Exp. 49 on orbit
Shane Kimbrough KE5HOD
Andrei Borisenko
Sergey Ryzhikov
Exp. 50 on orbit
Peggy Whitson
Thomas Pesquet KG5FYG
Oleg Novitskiy
**********************************************************************
Watch
http://www.ariss.org/upcoming-contacts.html
for information about upcoming contacts as they are scheduled.
[ANS thanks ARISS and Charlie, AJ9N for the above information]
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Satellite Shorts from All Over
Help Wanted - Russian Space Agency
If you know what this means, "Mukhnem na Lunu: Rossiya
ishchet novykh kosmonavtov"*, you may be able to apply
at Russia's space agency, who on Tuesday announced a
recruitment drive for young would-be cosmonauts who it
hopes will become the country's first on the Moon. And
women are welcome, an official stressed.
In the first such drive for five years, Roscosmos space
agency said it is looking for 6 to 8 cosmonauts who will
operate a new-generation spaceship now in development and
"will become the first Russians to fly to the Moon".
The full story is posted at:
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Fly_me_to_the_Moon_Russia_seeks_new_cosmonau
ts_999.html
*Translation: Fly me to the Moon: Russia seeks new cosmonauts
[ANS thanks SpaceDaily.com 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,
This week's ANS Editor,
Joe Spier, K6WAO
k6wao at amsat dot org
--
-73, k6wao
AMSAT Vice President Educational Relations
AMSAT News Service Co-Editor
ARISS-NA Education
2017 AMSAT Space Symposium Chairman
------------------------------
Message: 2
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 05:53:57 +0000
From: Ken M <va7kbm@xxxxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT -BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Hard times for satellite radio buyers?
Message-ID:
<CY1PR0101MB1050A87D5C02CBB23D0E8962983B0@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxxx.xxxxxxxxxxxx.xx
x>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Hello all,
Is it not hard times for new and prospective satellite operators (like
me) in terms of equipment choices, at least in terms of the "big three"?
(And, to be clear, I'm talking about current, in-production models only.)
I'm looking for an HF base/mobile radio, and also a VHF/UHF-only
all-mode base/mobile radio that I can use for the linear satellites but
- wait - there are no VHF/UHF-only all mode radios! That means I need to
buy a "shack in a box" but - wait - there are only two choices (at what
I will call moderate prices), the ancient TS-2000 and equally ancient
FT-857D. There is the new and somewhat more expensive FT-991A and,
although that sounds like a very good radio, for HF at that price point
I might prefer the IC-7300 but that would mean no satellite work.
I'm also looking for a portable HF QRP radio, and a portable radio I can
use for the linear satellites. Again the venerable but ancient FT-817ND
is pretty much the only game in town. As with the HF base radios above,
if I am only interested in HF QRP I would probably rather put my money
toward a KX2 or KX3 of newer design but, again, that would mean no
satellite work.
So as a new operator, to get into linear satellites it seems I am forced
to either (1) troll the swap meets for ancient gear; (2) buy new gear of
old design (which in my mind is even worse); or (3) buy new gear of
modern design that works for satellite and HF, but is not necessarily
the radio I would choose for HF alone.
I should add that the situation is not much better for HT/mobile radios
for the FM satellites, but at least there are some cost effective
workarounds including the less expensive Baofeng/Wouxun/Tytera radios
and their clones.
Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience, but
I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having
similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
Probably off to spend some new money on an old radio...
73 - Ken - VA7KBM
------------------------------
Message: 3
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 11:51:11 -0400
From: Bill Booth <ve3nxk@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Hard times for satellite radio buyers?
Message-ID: <58CEA8EF.5060704@xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed
On 2017-03-19 1:53 AM, Ken M wrote:
> Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience, but
> I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having
> similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
Well Ken I am of the same thinking but a bit different. I have an old 970
and it
works great for the birds, but like to do some EME as well at 23cm. The
field is
like you say do it all or nothing. The 9100 is nice but has HF in it. and
looks
real small sitting next to my 7700 HF rig.
I bet the next rigs will be SDR driven and the size of your phone........
--
Bill Booth VE3NXK
Sundridge ON, Canada
79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N
FN05ns
Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/wxcurrent/weather.html
Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life
Talk to your family. Your decision can make a difference.
------------------------------
Message: 4
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 21:32:30 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mark Johns <mjohns166@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: [amsat-bb] Landwehr Pre-amps
Message-ID: <863136639.4374222.1489959150171@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
I have a pair of old Landwehr RF switched receive pre-amps (one 2m and one
7cm) taking up space in my basement. They were working when removed from
service about seven years ago, but they have been sitting around a long time
and I have no means of testing them at the moment. Strictly "as is." They
*DO* have the rare power/control cable connectors with them.
Contact me off list if you are interested in making a deal on these.
--
Mark D. Johns, K?MDJ
Decorah, Iowa USA EN43
-----------------------------------------------
"Heaven goes by favor; if it went by merit,
you would stay out and your dog would go in."
---Mark Twain
------------------------------
Message: 5
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 22:04:52 +0100
From: Kurt Heernaert <on4cgw@xxxxx.xxx>
To: amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx
Subject: [amsat-bb] Kam Plus TNC Modem - AGWPE - UISS
Message-ID:
<CAHHr=MPeJSg04mp_bmvGbYV6mDPxJpTg0uOW0f=10qMuu35UuQ@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Dear All,
Who can helping me a little to make a start in UISS with next Items,
Modem : Kam Plus alle mode modem
AGWPE
UISS
Tnx in Advance
Vy 73 ON4CGW Kurt
------------------------------
Message: 6
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:22:56 -0400
From: Mike Sprenger <mikesprenger@xxxxx.xxx>
To: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Hard times for satellite radio buyers?
Message-ID:
<CAB4zG_+kHtrLLzTCy38E4JoNy+3R_T0MJLBV+O0JvZHTiZbsiw@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
Hi Ken,
Welcome, and glad you've found fascination with the Amateur Satellites
Theres always the opportunity to acquire gear from a fellow satellite
enthusiast which you can inquire with folks here on the BB (I've got no
surplus gear right now)
Check out how many all mode rigs are available if you recognize them,
they're often inexpensive if you find them on a hamfest table:
http://www.rigpix.com/index.shtml
There's lots of fun to be had on the satellites, I look forward to hearing
you on the air !
(BTW, even the most modern gear by any definition can only make "Ancient
SSB" sound so good)
Mike
W4UOO
On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bill Booth <ve3nxk@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
> On 2017-03-19 1:53 AM, Ken M wrote:
>
>> Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience, but
>> I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having
>> similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
>>
>
> Well Ken I am of the same thinking but a bit different. I have an old 970
> and it works great for the birds, but like to do some EME as well at 23cm.
> The field is like you say do it all or nothing. The 9100 is nice but has
> HF in it. and looks real small sitting next to my 7700 HF rig.
>
> I bet the next rigs will be SDR driven and the size of your phone........
>
>
> --
> Bill Booth VE3NXK
> Sundridge ON, Canada
> 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N
> FN05ns
>
> Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/wxcurrent/weather.html
>
> Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life
> Talk to your family. Your decision can make a difference.
>
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
--
Thanks,
Mike Sprenger
(37.9167N 81.1244W is the Summit)
------------------------------
Message: 7
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2017 18:33:49 -0400
From: Steve May <steve.w5iem@xxxxx.xxx>
Cc: AMSAT-BB <amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx>
Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Hard times for satellite radio buyers?
Message-ID:
<CAE0P9Ve0NdjaKUALqjDjO1_XJntAU=wGXRwW=xBqKj0riOPK1g@xxxx.xxxxx.xxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
One thing I always try to do when I'm at a hamfest and a manufacturer is
present is to mention the features I want on a radio. In my experience I
have found that that they will listen when I say that I want a 2m/70cm full
duplex SSB radio, and often say that they have heard other operators say
that they want those features. But when I mention the word "satellite" they
immediately brush me off by saying that it is just a niche area of the
hobby.
I always encourage hams to voice their frustrations with the manufacturers
in not being able to find a radio today that will really do what we need.
If everyone continues to bug them at places like Dayton perhaps one day at
least one manufacturer will listen and help us.
Steve May, W5IEM
Amateur Extra - Georgetown, KY
(520) 261-7847 - Cell
Skype: USHorseman
Steve.W5IEM@xxxxx.xxx
*This message is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to
which it is addressed and may contain information that is privileged,
confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader
of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that
any retention, dissemination, distribution, or copying the communication is
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please notify the sender immediately and delete the email along with any
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On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 6:22 PM, Mike Sprenger <mikesprenger@xxxxx.xxx>
wrote:
> Hi Ken,
>
> Welcome, and glad you've found fascination with the Amateur Satellites
>
> Theres always the opportunity to acquire gear from a fellow satellite
> enthusiast which you can inquire with folks here on the BB (I've got no
> surplus gear right now)
>
> Check out how many all mode rigs are available if you recognize them,
> they're often inexpensive if you find them on a hamfest table:
>
>
> http://www.rigpix.com/index.shtml
>
>
> There's lots of fun to be had on the satellites, I look forward to hearing
> you on the air !
>
> (BTW, even the most modern gear by any definition can only make "Ancient
> SSB" sound so good)
>
> Mike
> W4UOO
>
> On Sun, Mar 19, 2017 at 11:51 AM, Bill Booth <ve3nxk@xxxxx.xxx> wrote:
>
> > On 2017-03-19 1:53 AM, Ken M wrote:
> >
> >> Thanks for indulging my shopping frustrations, and my inexperience, but
> >> I have to think there are others new to the hobby that are having
> >> similar thoughts. Do Amsat members see this as a problem?
> >>
> >
> > Well Ken I am of the same thinking but a bit different. I have an old
> 970
> > and it works great for the birds, but like to do some EME as well at
> 23cm.
> > The field is like you say do it all or nothing. The 9100 is nice but has
> > HF in it. and looks real small sitting next to my 7700 HF rig.
> >
> > I bet the next rigs will be SDR driven and the size of your phone........
> >
> >
> > --
> > Bill Booth VE3NXK
> > Sundridge ON, Canada
> > 79.23.37 W x 45.46.18 N
> > FN05ns
> >
> > Visit my weather WebCam at http://www.almaguin.com/
> wxcurrent/weather.html
> >
> > Organ and Tissue Donation - The Gift of Life
> > Talk to your family. Your decision can make a difference.
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Thanks,
> Mike Sprenger
> (37.9167N 81.1244W is the Summit)
> _______________________________________________
> Sent via AMSAT-BB@xxxxx.xxx. 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: http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
>
------------------------------
Subject: Digest Footer
_______________________________________________
Sent via amsat-bb@xxxxx.xxx.
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!
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb
------------------------------
End of AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 12, Issue 75
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