AMSAT News Service
ANS-131
May 11, 2025
In this edition:
* Last chance to purchase tickets to the TAPR/AMSAT Banquet, being held on Friday, May 16th.
* AMSAT Ambassador Program Seeks Input During Hamvention 2025
* 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Announced
* VUCCÂ and DXCC Satellite Standings for May 2025
* AMSAT-DL Presents Their Space Days Event in September, 2025
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution
* ARISS Proposal Window Closes May 23, 2025
* ARISS News
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* AMSAT Ambassador Activities
* Satellite Shorts From All Over
The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and
information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.
ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports
on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who
share an active interest in designing, building, launching and
communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.
The news feed on 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
Sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/
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Last chance to purchase tickets to the TAPR/AMSAT Banquet, being held on Friday, May 16th.
The banquet ticket purchase deadline is Monday, May 12th at 17:00 EDT / 21:00 UTC. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.amsat.org/product/2025-tapr-amsat-friday-night-banquet-registration/
AMSAT Ambassador Program Seeks Input During Hamvention 2025
The newly developing AMSAT Ambassador Program will be informally
discussed by program coordinator Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director â AMSAT
Ambassador Program, during the Dayton Hamvention 2025. Heâs seeking
input from attendees during the May 16-18, 2025 event as to ways AMSAT
can support Ambassadors and their efforts to engage the public.
An educator, Bo seeks interested Radio Amateurs to educate other
Amateur Radio operators and the general public about the importance of
Amateur Radio in space and the progress being made in meeting AMSATâs
mission and vision.
Ideas are especially sought for new ways to assist educators as well
as inform and educate young people in the rapidly growing community of
âMakers.â This group enjoys using 3-D printers, laser cutters and other
high-tech tools to build items, many of which include electronics such
as small board computers and peripherals, similar to the tech used in
AMSATâs Cubesat Simulator (See https://cubesatsim.com/).

Google Map by Bo Lowrey shows locations of the 41 AMSAT Ambassadors throughout the U.S.
Current and new AMSAT Ambassadors looking toward the future may want
to consider the âmakerâ community (creators, innovators, and
Do-It-Yourself enthusiasts) as a target audience. This segment of the
general population includes prime candidates for Amateur Radio licensing
and operations.
The maker population segment is very large and worldwide. It includes
people of all ages, some with varying degrees of skills in electricity
and electronics. Many schools, colleges and universities and specialized
âmaker groupsâ abound.
AMSAT Ambassador Tom Scheussler, N5HYP exhibits annually at a youth space and science fair in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
An excellent example of an independent organization that caters to
the makers in the U.S. is the New England SCI-TECH center. It is a
non-profit STEM education center and maker space dedicated to
project-based, hands-on learning for youth and families. See: https://nescitech.org/. They host an Amateur Radio club and offer courses in cubesat subjects.
Various education and promotion tools for Ambassadors to use at
in-person events are provided.These include: 3â² x 5â² fabric banner /
flag for display table; presentation binder with illustrations and
answers to frequently asked questions. These are used to attract and
inform event attendees. Also, a personal name and callsign badge
identifying an AMSAT Ambassador is provided. If the event is of a
significant size, a door prize from AMSAT may be available for that
purpose.
For online presentations AMSAT provides access to a growing
repository of existing presentations. There is an online folder for each
Ambassador to store content. Ambassadors also have access to the
interactive video capabilities of the MS365 for video presentations to
any size group.â
Bo will be available at Hamvention on Friday, May 16 and Saturday May
17. Interested in speaking with Bo? Come by the AMSAT booth in Bldg. 1.
Interested Radio Amateurs may contact Bo before, during or after
Hamvention 2025 at blowrey@amsat.org.
For additional information see AMSAT at Hamvention 2025: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/. For more information about the AMSAT Ambassador Program visit: https://www.amsat.org/ambassador/
The AMSAT Forum will be presented Saturday, May 17, from 1:35 p.m. to
3:10 p.m. EDT in Forum Room 2. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early
for the ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Forum
at 12:40 p.m. in the same room.
For additional information see AMSAT at Hamvention 2025: https://www.amsat.org/amsat-at-hamvention-2025/.
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information]
The 2025 AMSAT Presidentâs Club Coins Have Arrived!
Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Amateur Radio on Human Spaceflight
Help Support GOLF and Fox Plus.

Join the AMSAT Presidentâs Club today and help
Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual General Meeting Announced
Save the date! The 43rd Annual AMSAT Space Symposium & Annual
General Meeting will be held October 16th through Sunday October 19th.
The site of the 2025 event will be the Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix
Airport North.

(Photo credit: Holiday Inn & Suites Phoenix Airport North)
The hotel is located minutes away from Phoenix Sky Harbor airport and
features free airport shuttle, all-suite rooms at affordable prices and
free breakfast! Information for room reservation at reduced rates and
event registration will be published shortly.
For your planning purposes, the overall schedule for the event is as follows:
Thursday, October 16th
0900 â 1700 Board of Directors Meeting
Friday, October 17th
0900 â 1200 Board of Directors Meeting
1300 â 1700 Symposium Presentations
1800 â 2100 Reception & Auction
Saturday, October 18th
0900 â 1200 Symposium Presentations
1300 â 1500 Symposium Presentations
1500 â 1700 Annual General Meeting
1800 â 1900 Reception
1900 â 2100 Banquet
Sunday, October 19th
0800 â 1000 Members Breakfast
(Times subject to change.)
Plan to attend this fun and informative event while you exchange ideas with your friends in the world of amateur satellites!
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]

VUCCÂ and DXCC Satellite Standings for May 2025
ââââââââââââââââââââ
VUCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for April 01, 2025 to May 01, 2025.
ââââââââââââââââââââ
Call |
April |
May |
WC7V |
1619 |
1621 |
DG7RO |
1005 |
1504 |
XE1AO |
1111 |
1177 |
KN2K |
907 |
936 |
IK3ITB |
800 |
900 |
NÃGVK |
867 |
871 |
N8MR |
755 |
775 |
UW7LL |
New |
754 |
KB1HY |
727 |
732 |
LU3FCA |
406 |
684 |
HP2VX |
508 |
516 |
K6SFO |
400 |
501 |
JH1NHK |
New |
440 |
XE1YD |
104 |
183 |
WD9EWK (DM45) |
170 |
175 |
WD9EWK (DM54) |
159 |
163 |
ââââââââââââââââââââ
Congratulations to the new VUCC Satellite holders.
UW7LL
JH1NHK
ââââââââââââââââââââ
DXCC Satellite Award/Endorsement Change Summary for April 01, 2025 to May 01, 2025.
ââââââââââââââââââââ
Call |
April |
May |
OE9DGV |
214 |
215 |
G4WFQ |
176 |
183 |
I3BUI |
169 |
172 |
SV8CS |
162 |
165 |
EA2AA |
158 |
160 |
IW1FZR |
151 |
154 |
HB9GWJ |
141 |
143 |
KB1HY |
142 |
143 |
DL8GAM |
120 |
125 |
JA1VSL |
116 |
119 |
AC9O |
100 |
108 |
N0GVK |
100 |
101 |
R3DPH |
New |
101 |
CU3AA |
New |
100 |
KGÃD |
New |
100 |
OH4MS |
New |
100 |
ââââââââââââââââââââ
Congratulations to the new DXCC Satellite holders.
R3DPH
CU3AA
KGÃD
OH4MS
R3DPH is first DXCC Satellite holder from KO96
OH4MS is first DXCC Satellite holder from KP24
[ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]
Need new satellite antennas?
Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.Â

When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/
AMSAT-DL Presents Their Space Days Event in September, 2025
AMSAT-Deutschland e.V. and the Bochum Observatory have scheduled
Bochum Space Days 2025 from September 19 to 21, 2025. The event will
provide a varied and informative program aimed at AMSAT members and all
space enthusiasts. Current developments and future prospects for
national and international amateur radio satellites and other space
projects will be presented. Lectures, presentations and discussions will
provide participants with valuable insights into the latest
technologies, missions and research projects in space travel, according
to AMSAT-DL.
Bochum Observatory is a research institute in Bochum, Germany. The
institution came into being through a private initiative. Its main areas
of interest are in radio astronomy and environmental research.
The Space Days event begins on Friday with a general âcome togetherâ
and end on Sunday with the General Assembly. The exact schedule and
further plans will be posted on the website when they are available.
Anyone interested in giving a presentation is welcome to contact Bochum
Observatory via the AMSAT-DL website: https://amsat-dl.org/en/save-the-date-bochum-space-days-2025/.
According to AMSAT DL, âWork is continuing on the ground station for
ERMINAZ and other projects at the observatory in Bochum. In addition to
the well-known deep space activities of AMSAT-DL and Bochum Observatory
with the 20-meter parabolic antenna, there is also a great need to
receive and, if necessary, command small satellites, CubeSats and
PocketQube satellites in LEO. A corresponding Mission Control Center is
currently being set up. We have been operating the DK0SB SatNOGS station
with omnidirectional antennas (Eggbeater) on VHF and UHF in the 2m and
70cm amateur radio satellite range for several years now. Also APT and
LRPT weather image reception on 137 MHz using a dedicated antenna and
the SatDump software.â
[ANS thanks AMSAT-DL for the above information]
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.zazzle.com/amsat_gear
Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for May 9
Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or
keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard
mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking
programs. Weekly updates are completely adequate for most amateur
satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of
the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after
reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More
information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.
This week there are no additions or deletions to the AMSAT TLE distribution.
[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the above information]
ARISS Proposal Window Closes May 23, 2025
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, 2026 and June 30, 2026. 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.

Â
The deadline to submit a proposal is May 23, 2025. Proposal
information and more details such as expectations, proposal guidelines
and the proposal form can be found at www.ariss.org.
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 with the support of NASA
and space agencies in Canada, Japan, Europe and Russia present
educational organizations with this opportunity. The ham radio
organizationsâ volunteer efforts provide the equipment and operational
support to enable communication between crew on the ISS and students
around the world using Amateur Radio.
Please direct any questions to education@ariss-usa.org .
[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]
ARISS NEWS
ARISS is Celebrating 25 Years of Continuous Operations on
ISS. The ARISS forum at the Dayton Hamvention will be on Saturday May
17 in Room 2 from 12:40-1:40 p.m. (right before the AMSAT forum in the
same space). The focus for this forum will be to provide the audience a
viewpoint of the breadth and depth of the ARISS contributions to the
Fram2 mission, the first mission to include amateur radio in a Dragon
capsule and the first human spaceflight amateur radio mission over the
North and South poles. The ARISS team plans to convey how the work and
lessons learned on Fram2 has helped to propel exciting and pioneering
lifelong learning ARISS 2.0 initiatives that are underway for youth
education, youth engagement and for the amateur radio community.
Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts
between amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact
with astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station.
The downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.
Astronomical society Kumova slama, Daruvar, Croatia, Direct via 9A1CCY
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be OR4ISS
The scheduled crewmember is Jonathan (Jonny) Kim KJ5HKP
The ARISS mentor is SP3QFE
Contact is go for: Thu 2025-05-15 16:59:29 UTC 26 deg
Amur State University, Blagoveshchensk, Russia, direct via TBD
The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RSÃISS
The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Ryzhikov
The ARISS mentor is RV3DR
Contact is go for 2025-05-23 09:15 UTC
The crossband repeater continues to be ACTIVE
(145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so
inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the
volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you
just never know.
The packet system is currently OFF (145.825 MHz up & down). Powering on TBD.
As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios are turned off as part of the safety protocol.
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.
The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information]
Upcoming Satellite Operations
W8LR/R will operate on linear satellites RS-44 and QO-07 from EM75 on May 26 and 27, looking especially for European contacts.
A growing number of satellite rovers are currently engaged in sharing their grid square activations on https://hams.at.
By visiting the website, you gain easy access to comprehensive
information about the operators responsible for activating specific grid
squares. Additionally, you have the ability to assess the match score
between yourself and a particular rover for a given pass, while also
being able to identify the upcoming satellite passes that are accessible
from your location.
[ANS thanks Ian Parsons, K5ZM, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]
AMSAT Ambassador Activities
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating
through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club
meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.
May 16th thru 18th, 2025
Dayton Hamvention
Greene County Fair and Expo Center
210 Fairground Road
Xenia, OH 45385
https://hamvention.org/
June 21, 2025
Rochester Amateur Radio Association Hamfest 2025
Barnard Fire Field
410 Maiden Lane Rochester, NY 14616
KB2YSI
September 6, 2025
Greater Louisville Hamfest
Paroquet Springs Conference Centre
395 Paroquet Springs Drive
Shepherdsville, KY 40165
W4FCL
[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director â AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information]
Satellite Shorts From All Over
+ Along with the CubeSat Simulator, the AMSAT Youth Initiative is
another of AMSATâs efforts to bring students into the world of amateur
satellites and radio. This yearâs AMSAT Hamvention booth features the
first of a series of online courses intended to generate that interest.
The âIntroduction to Satellite Meteorologyâ course provides students
with the opportunity to learn the role that satellites play in the field
of weather forecasting. Following the programâs theme, âSatellites in
Space Help Us Lead Better Lives on Earth,â the course appeals to
studentâs inherent interest in earth sciences. As the courses progress,
they are introduced to the concepts of radio communications and
eventually amateur radio. The free courses are available directly to
students and their families but teachers and youth leaders are also
encouraged to use the courses as they see fit. Anyone interested in STEM
education is encouraged to experience the online course firsthand is
encouraged to visit AMSAT in the Maxim building, booth #1007. (ANS
thanks AMSAT for the above information.)
+ The Trump administrationâs preliminary 2026 budget proposes the
biggest single-year cut to NASA funding in the agencyâs 67-year history.
The cuts are part of the White Houseâs broader government âskinny
budget,â which aligns with Elon Muskâs DOGE wishlist. The NASA portion
would gut the agencyâs science programs, cancel the Gateway space
station project and phase out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and
Orion capsule after only three flights. Congress would have to approve
the budget, so some or all of these cuts may change before the 2026
funding is approved. (ANS thanks engadget.com for the above
information.)
+ Scott Kelly, who was the first American astronaut to spend almost a
year in Earth orbit on board the International Space Station, stars in
âNever Stop Dreaming,â a minute-long film made by Goodnites as part of
its âMission Dryâ campaign. The video was released by the nighttime
underwear brand on National Astronaut Day, May 5, which coincides with
the event when NASA first learned that it needed absorbent undergarments
for its crew members. âMan, I gotta pee,â Alan Shepard, Americaâs
soon-to-be first man in space, radioed to the launch control room from
atop his Redstone rocket on May 5, 1961. Astronauts are helping to
destigmatize a common childhood experience by pointing out the
similarities between what some kids wear to bed and what explorers wear
into space. Full story at https://bit.ly/43hMK0x (ANS thanks space.com for the above information.)
+ The AMSAT website offers a comprehensive list of communications
satellites and supporting details was updated on April 27,2025. This
list is an excellent overview of FM Repeater, Linear Transponder, and
Digital Satellites as well as Re-entered or Inoperative Satellites. Each
listing includes a brief comment about links to details about each one.
Also, there are frequency charts for each type of satellite. Access the
information from the âSatellite Infoâ top level menu dropdown list
which also includes many other related choices. Alternatively, go
directly from this link: https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/. (ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.)
+ ARISS is planning a special get together for all the Fram2 âalumniâ
attending Hamvention. This includes the Fram2 youth, hams and ARISS
volunteers. The special get together will be held in the Education
mini-forum area located right behind the ARISS and YOTA booths in the
Volta Building. Please stop by at 10 a.m. on Saturday May 17 for this
special event. This will be an outstanding opportunity for all of the
Fram2 participants and volunteers to meet face-to-face, share stories
and gather lessons learned. (ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS-USA
Executive Director, for the above information.)
+ The International Amateur Radio Union is considering restructuring
by consolidating all three Regions. A Zoom meeting was conducted in
English for Region 2 (North America) on May 7, 2025. Listen to a summary
of a This Week In Amateur Radio podcast two-minute report via Hamshack
TV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yoQ2vjAU4E (ANS thanks TWIT, HamShack TV and YouTube for the above information.)
Â
Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/
In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:
* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).
* 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 6 post-secondary
years in this status.
* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.
Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.
73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!
This weekâs ANS Editors, David Vine, WA1EAW, and Mark Johns, KÃJM
mjohns [at] amsat.org
ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002