AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-138

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites

The news feed on http://amsat org publishes news of Amateur Radio in space as soon as our volunteers can post it

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor at amsat dot org

In this edition:

• AMSAT Receives PPP Funds During COVID-19 Pandemic
• HuskySat-1 Transponder is Open
• HuskySat-1 Designated OSCAR 107 (HO-107)
• AMSAT Executive VP Congratulates HuskySat-1 Team
• New Satellite Frequency Chart Is Free to Members
• ARISS Continues Test of MultiPoint Telebridge Contact via
  Amateur Radio
• 10th Annual GNU Radio Conference Goes Virtual
• AMSAT-EA Receives IARU Coordination for Two Satellites
• AO-7 Delivers Stunning Contact
• UN Launches Second Space4Youth Competition
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• ARISS News
• Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
• Satellite Shorts from All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-138 01 ANS-138 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 138 01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD May 17, 2020 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-138 01

AMSAT Receives PPP Funds During COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 31, 2020, AMSAT's Board of Directors authorized the organization's leadership team to pursue relief afforded by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Pursuit of this relief was in accordance with the Directors' fiduciary duty to pursue all funding sources available to sustain AMSAT's operations

AMSAT has received funds under the CARES Act's Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Participation in this program gives us certainty that AMSAT will be able to continue uninterrupted service to our members during these uncertain economic times It helps AMSAT offset cash flow losses due to the pandemic and avoid dipping into our reserves Using reserves at this time would incur substantial realized losses due to fluctuating investment market conditions Receiving the PPP funds also allows AMSAT to continue paying Martha, AMSAT's Office Manager of over 40 years, even though our physical office remains closed

Although AMSAT remains in a healthy financial position with a strong balance of cash and reserves, the current economic situation and loss of events like Hamvention and Ham-Com will likely continue to negatively impact donations and membership renewals

AMSAT's senior leadership team continues to pursue avenues to reduce operational costs such as the recent successful roll out of the Wild Apricot membership management portal

[ANS thanks Clayton Coleman, W5PFG, AMSAT President for the above information ]

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     Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office
is closed until further notice
 For details, please visit

https://www amsat org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/

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HuskySat-1 Transponder is Open

Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - Operations reports that after a week of testing, the transponder on HuskySat-1 is enabled and open for use and testing HuskySat-1 carries a V/u inverting transponder with a 145 910 to 145 940 uplink, 435 810 to 435 840 downlink The telemetry beacon runs 1200 baud BPSK at 435 800

It's fairly sensitive, and 5-10 watts is plenty most of the time There are some fades due to satellite orientation and some passes are definitely better than others The operations and engineering teams are also watching a few anomalies For those with spectrum scopes, lease keep an eye on the beacon during transponder operations Strong signals may impact the beacon strength Reports and observations are welcome to the amsat-bb mailing list

HuskySat-1 is the Husky Satellite Lab at University of Washington's first cubesat, and the first mission with AMSAT's linear transponder module (LTM-1), a V/u transponder and integrated telemetry beacon and command receiver UW recently completed their Part 5 operations and have graciously let AMSAT's Part 97 transponder operations commence This transponder module is available for use in educational cubesat missions willing to enable the transponder for worldwide use Contact Drew Glasbrenner or Jerry Buxton, VP Engineering Jerry Buxton for additional details

Congratulations to Husky Satellite Lab, and to the entire AMSAT Engineering team for keeping amateur radio in space Thanks to Dr Mark Hammond, N8MH for commissioning and operations support

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - Operations for the above information ]

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HuskySat-1 Designated OSCAR 107 (HO-107)

On November 2, 2019, the HuskySat-1 cubesat launched on the Cygnus NG-12 mission from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA The satellite was constructed by the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington, and utilizes an AMSAT-constructed radio system for primary communications Deployed from the Cygnus vehicle on January 31, 2020 after departing the ISS, HuskySat-1 began a 3-month educational mission Upon completion of that mission, the satellite began operation of a V/u linear transponder in Amateur Radio Service

At the request of the Husky Satellite Lab and AMSAT teams, AMSAT here-by designates HuskySat-1 as HuskySat-OSCAR 107 (HO-107) We congratulate the Husky Satellite Lab, thank them for their contribution to the Amateur Radio satellite community, and wish them continued success on this and future projects

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP - 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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AMSAT Executive VP Congratulates HuskySat-1 Team

"The first of what will be many AMSAT Linear Transponder Modules in orbit was opened for amateur use worldwide Sunday morning I wanted to offer my thanks and congratulations to the team that made this possible:

AMSAT Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY John Klingelhoeffer, WB4LNM Marc Franco, N2UO Dan Habecker, W9EQ Bob Davis, KF4KSS Burns Fisher, WB1FJ Eric Skoog, K1TVV Chris Thompson, AC2CZ/G0KLA

AMSAT Operations Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA Mark Hammond, N8MH

"And, last, but certainly not least, the entire team at the Husky Satellite Lab at the University of Washington

"The AMSAT Linear Transponder Module (LTM) is a crucial part of AMSAT's mission The GOLF program will fulfill the first part of our mission statement, to deploy satellite systems with the goal of providing wide-area and continuous coverage, while ARISS and AREx fulfill the second part of our mission statement to continue active participation in human space missions

The LTM represents the primary work AMSAT is doing to "support a stream of LEO satellites developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite groups" Five Fox-1 satellites have been completed HO-107 is just the first of many more missions that will help us to Keep Amateur Radio in Space at a low cost to AMSAT The future is bright!

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP for the above information ]

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New Satellite Frequency Chart Is Free to Members

AMSAT just released its updated Amateur Satellite Frequency Guide It is currently available only to AMSAT Members, in the new online member portal under Member Resources

Archives of The AMSAT Journal are also available under Journal Currently, 2018 and 2019 are available with more years soon

If you are an AMSAT Member and have not signed up on the new AMSAT Member Portal, you are missing out If your not an AMSAT Member, there's no better time to join!

Visit launch amsat org today!

[ANS thanks AMSAT Member Services for the above information ]

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ARISS Continues Test of MultiPoint Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio

ARISS completed the second test of the new-style radio contact called Multi point Telebridge Contact via Amateur Radio The concept was developed for distance learning when schools closed worldwide due to COVID-19 The virus eliminated all opportunities for ARISS radio contacts at education organizations

The radio contact was completed on May 15 with ISS Commander Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR A new ARISS telebridge ground station was operated by John Sygo, ZS6JON located near Johannesburg,South Africa The telebridge linked to the astronaut and each youth tied in from home via their telephones Each student took a turn asking their question of the astronaut Their families, faculty and the public could also listen from home

The youth taking part in ARISS's second test belong to the Airdrie Space Science Club in Airdrie, AB, Canada Prior to COVID, the students had participated in space and radio communications lessons such as balloon launches with ham radio payloads and building model rockets to launch Brian Jackson, VE6JBJ, one of the five club leaders related, "During this pandemic, our opportunities to develop kids' interest in space has been interrupted This ARISS contact gets them looking back up, towards the sky, and imagining themselves as an astronaut one day "

[ANS thanks Dave Jordan, AA4KN, ARISS Public Relations for the above information ]

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10th Annual GNU Radio Conference Goes Virtual

GNU Radio Conference (GRCon) is a week-long conference that includes technical content and networking opportunities It highlights design, implementation, and theory that has been practically applied in a useful way GRCon attendees come from a large variety of backgrounds, including industry, academia, government, and hobbyists

GRCon20 will be held starting September 14, 2020 online as a virtual event Keynote speakers include Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY, Managing Editor of QST magazine; Oona Räisänen (windytan) hacker of signals and computer programmer; and Jim St Leger, Director Open Source, at Intel

More information and registration is online at: https://www gnuradio org/grcon/grcon20/

[ANS thanks GNU Radio for the above information ]

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    Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?
        Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff
                from our Zazzle store!
    25% of the purchase price of each product goes
        towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
          https://www
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AMSAT-EA Receives IARU Coordination for Two Satellites

AMSAT-EA recently received frequency coordination from the IARU for two pocketcube satellites expected to launch in 2020

Hades is a 1 5 p pocketcube satellite offering radio amateurs a linear transponder for SSB/FM/CW and digital modes It will also test the platform for future amateur satellites A downlink on 436 888 MHz and an uplink on 145 925 MHz have been coordinated A regenerative transponder for FM/FSK/ASK and 0 05kbps-125kbps ASK/FSK/PSK telemetry, store&forward and data transmission from ground stations is also planned A camera is expected to fly as an experimental payload

EASAT-2 satellite is Hades virtual twin with a downlink on 436 666 MHz and an uplink on 145 875 MHz Both satellites will be launched into a 400/500 km polar orbit together with Sanosat-1 and others in a Alba Orbital cluster 3 launch

More info at https://www amsat-ea org/

[ANS thanks the IARU for the above information ]

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AO-7 Delivers Stunning Contact

On Sunday, May 4, 2020, AO-7, a forty year old satellite, produced a stunning contact At 17:20 UTC a contact was completed between Diego Fiel, LW2DAF in Buenos Aires (GF05rk) and Tom Ambrose, ZS1TA in Cape Town (JF95fx) The contact scanned a distance of 4329 miles (6927 km) across the South Atlantic with both stations aiming at only 2 to 3 degrees on the horizon

Both stations had been watching the orbit predictions for several weeks and the suitable opportunities only occurred occasionally with both stations seeing the AO-7 satellite at the same time Electrical noise particularly in Cape Town hampered the efforts with only small snatches being heard from time to time That morning, however, the noise levels were low and a perfect contact was possible with full call signs and reports being exchanged

[ANS thanks Tom Ambrose, ZS1TA for the above information ]

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UN Launches Second Space4Youth Competition

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) announced the second edition of its Space4Youth competition for young people worldwide to share their ideas on space policy and exploration

The Space4Youth Competition strives to show how young people can contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals This edition focuses on SDG 13, Climate Action, which the United Nations Secretary-General called the defining issue of our time

In order to participate, young people have to submit an essay on "Space as a tool to address climate challenges: examples from local communities"

The selected winner and finalist(s) will be invited to present their essays at the 19th Space Generation Congress 2020 Winners will also have abstracts of their essays submitted to the 63rd session of the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

For more information and instructions on how to participate, see: https://tinyurl com/ANS-138-Space4Youth

[ANS thanks the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs 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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Upcoming Satellite Operations

• Mitch (@ad0hj) Has decided to go check on the tree in North Dakota He has also said he will be activating a bunch of grids:
• 5/20 UTC DN96/97
• 5/21 UTC DN78/88
• 5/22 UTC DN76/77
• 5/23 UTC DN86/87

• 5/24 UTC EN06/16

• Ron (@AD0DX) and Doug (@N6UA) are making another run at the elusive DL88 in Big Bend National Park, TX As we know they tried this grid back in March, and due to the mud couldn't’t get to the grid, so never

ones to quit, off they go again Today the tentative date is Sunday, May 31, 2020 They will be using the K5Z call sign More information is available at the K5Z QRZ Page

[ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR for the above information ]

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ARISS News

The following schools have now been postponed due to COVID-19:

• Srednja Skola Za Elektrotehniku I Racunalstvo, Rijeka, Croatia, direct via 9A5G

• Canadian Cub Jamboree, Guelph/Eramosa, ON, Canada, telebridge via TBD

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N for the above information ]

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Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Current schedule: - No scheduled events

The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been CANCELED:

• May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ
• May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH
• June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX

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Shorts from All Over

• Doppler SQF Line Generator

It seems like new satellites are appearing over the horizon nearly every day For those who want to roll their own Doppler SQF lines, you

can use this generator developed by Mike Diehl, W8LID Just enter the frequencies in the correct spot and presto! You will find this great tool at: https://www amsat org/doppler-sqf-line-generator/

[ANS thanks Dave Webb, KB1PVH for the above information ]

• "There's Nothing to Do, Dad (or Mom)!"

When the kids start getting bored around the house, check out NASA's STEM Engagement Page With activities sorted by age group, there's plenty fun parents and kids can enjoy on their own or together It's all at https://www nasa gov/stem

Also available from the European Space Agency is a series of weekly projects and challenges that run now through September Enjoy these entertaining and educational projects at: https://www esa int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2020/05/Expedition_Home

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N and ESA for the above information ]

• NASA Inks Deal with Roscosmos for Continued Rides to the ISS

With lingering uncertainty about when new U S commercial vehicles can regularly carry crews to the space station, NASA said Tuesday it will pay the Russian space agency more than $90 million for a round-trip ticket to the International Space Station on a Soyuz spacecraft later this year According to NASA, the deal with Roscosmos, Russia’s space agency, will ensure continuous U S presence on the ISS in case of additional delays in getting new U S crew capsules ready for operational missions Read the complete story at: https://tinyurl com/ANS-138-NASA-Ride

[ANS thanks SPACEFLIGHT NOW 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 additional benefits Application forms are available from the AMSAT office

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this status

Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student membership information

73, This week's ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW n1uw at amsat dot org

Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat org 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!

Subscription settings: http://www amsat org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA https://www amsat org/mailman/listinfo/ans