AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-267

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:

• Falconsat-3 is Now Open for Amateur Radio Use
• Get Ready for the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting Everything you need to know and get done today
• International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students - ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is November 15, 2017
• KB1RVT and UX0FF QSO via AO-7
• Polish Amateur Radio Union Award for ARISS SSTV Reception
• W5PFG Awarded Grid Master Award #5
• October Russian Arctic DXpedition Includes Satellite Operation
• November Satellite Activity Planned for HC8 Galapagos DXpedition
• Balloon Flight with Radio BLT-49 South Texas September 30
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-267 01 ANS-267 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 267 01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD DATE September 24, 2017 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-267 01

Falconsat-3 is Now Open for Amateur Radio Use

The Air Force Academy satellite Falconsat-3 is now open for amateur radio use as a digital store-and-forward system FalconSAT-3 was built in 2005 and 2006 by cadets and faculty in the Space Systems Research Center at the US Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, and launched in 2007 on an Atlas V

After serving in scientific and training roles, the Academy has now made the satellite available for Amateur radio use

The satellite is in a 35 4 degree inclination orbit, with an approximate altitude of 465 to 476 km The Packet Bulletin Board System is operating at 9600 baud with a 145 840 uplink, and 435 103 downlink Output power is 1 watt, and the downlink is con- tinuously on Digipeating is enabled for live QSOs, but unattended digipeating operations is not authorized at this time Current Keplerian elements can be found in the AMSAT distributed Keplerian elements

More information can be found at https://www amsat org/falconsat-3/ and further operational inquiries should be directed to AMSAT Vice President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA (ko4ma@amsat org)

[ANS thanks AMSAT Vice President Operations, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the above information]

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Get Ready for the 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting Everything you need to know and get done today

Here is a summary of what you need to do to get ready for the 2017 AMSAT-NA Space Symposium and Annual Meeting, October 27-29, 2017 at the Silver Legacy Resort Hotel, Reno, NV

Complete Your Symposium Registration in the AMSAT Store

You can register for the 2017 Space Symposium, the Saturday Evening Banquet, and the Sunday Morning Area Coordinators breakfast in the AMSAT store: https://www amsat org/shop/

Symposium Registration (including a copy of the Proceedings) + Starting September 15 -- $50 + At the door -- $55

Make Your Reservations for the Symposium Hotel in Reno

You must make your hotel reservations at the Silver Legacy at this link: https://www amsat org/symposium-hotel/ (block code ISAMSAT) The hotel phone number is 1-800-687-8733

TO GUARANTEE OUR RATES PLEASE MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS BEFORE OCTOBER 12, 2017

The Silver Legacy is a 4-star Resort/Hotel/Casino which is an iconic 42-story hotel with its massive round dome and spires centered in downtown Reno

2017 AMSAT-NA Space Symposium Preliminary Schedule Announced

Preliminary Schedule for the 2017 AMSAT-NA Space Symposium and Annual Meeting, October 27-29, 2017 at the Silver Legacy Resort Hotel, Reno, NV

Check the Symposium Web Page for updates and new information as it becomes available: https://www amsat org/symposium-schedule/

2017 AMSAT-NA Space Symposium Tours Announced

The 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium will be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct 27-29 in Reno There will be two tours of the sights around Reno offered after the Symposium ends on Sunday morning

The first tour is offered on Sunday October 29, 10:00AM to 4:00PM This tour will visit Historical Virginia City Tour cost is $46 per person Lunch will be on your own

The second tour is offered on Monday October 30, 8:30AM to 5:30PM This tour will Discover Truckee, the Donner Party, Lake Tahoe & Genoa The tour cost is $80 per person There is an optional Lake Tahoe Cruise on a paddle-wheel ship available The tour cost with the Lake Tahoe Cruise is $147 per person Lunch is provided with either tour option

A description of the tours has been posted at https://www amsat org/symposium-tours/

Complete tour information is available by paging through each tour description and a link to purchase the tour through the AMSAT Store is provided below the description You may also purchase all Symposium events at the AMSAT Store https://www amsat org/product-category/amsat-symposium/

Introducing Banquet Keynote Speaker Garrett L Skrobot, NASA

Cubesat Launch Initiative Program, Kennedy Space Center

Garrett was born in Myrtle Beach, S C , but moved to West Cocoa, Florida at the age of six months Immediately after graduating from Cocoa High School in 1980, Garrett began a four-year tour of duty in the United States Marine Corp that took him around the world

In 1988 Garrett earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee; he later received his master's degree in space systems from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1992

Garrett joined the NASA team at Kennedy Space Center in 2000 as an Integration Engineer for the Launch Services Program Prior to his work with NASA, Garrett was employed by General Dynamics as a System Engineer for the Atlas/Centaur booster program Dur- ing his tenure with General Dynamics, Garret participated in more than 50 launches while working in the Electrical, Ground Instru- mentation, Payload Mission Integration, Telemetry and Project Management divisions

Garrett continues to live in Cocoa with his wife and their three daughters In his free time, Garrett enjoys nature photography, fishing, and actively supporting his daughters in their sports Garrett himself is also an accomplished athlete, having earned a black belt in karate

[ANS thanks the 2017 AMSAT-NA Symposium Committee for the above information]

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October 6 Deadline for 2017 AMSAT Space Symposium Papers

This is the second call for papers for the 2017 AMSAT Annual Meeting and Space Symposium to be held on the weekend of October 27, 28, 29, 2017 at the Silver Legacy Resort, Reno, Nevada

Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are invited on any topic of interest to the amateur satellite community We request a tentative title of your presentation as soon as possible, with final copy to be submitted by October 6 for inclusion in the printed proceedings Abstracts and papers should be sent to Dan Schultz N8FGV at n8fgv at amsat org

[ANS thanks Dan, N8FGV, for the above information]

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International Space Station Astronauts are Calling CQ Students ARISS-US program education proposal deadline is November 15, 2017

September 18, 2017: The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program is seeking proposals from U S schools, museums, science centers and community youth organizations to host radio contacts with an orbiting crew member aboard the International Space Station (ISS) between July 1 and December 31, 2018

Each year, ARISS provides tens of thousands of students with oppor- tunities to learn about space technologies and space communications through the exploration of Amateur Radio The program provides learning opportunities by connecting students to astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) through a partnership between NASA, the American Radio Relay League, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation and other Amateur Radio organizations and worldwide space agencies The program’s goal is to inspire students worldwide, to pursue interests and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) through Amateur Radio

Educators overwhelmingly report that student participation in the ARISS program inspires an interest in STEM subjects and in STEM careers Ninety-two percent of educators who have participated in the program have indicated that ARISS provided ideas for encourag- ing student exploration, discussion, and participation, and 78 percent said that ARISS was effective in stimulating student interest in STEM

ARISS is looking for organizations that will draw large numbers of participants and integrate the contact into a well-developed education plan Students can learn about satellite communications, wireless technology, science research conducted on the space station, what it is like to work in space, radio science, and any related STEM subject Students learn to use Amateur Radio to talk directly to an astronaut and ask their STEM-related questions ARISS will help educational organizations locate Amateur Radio groups who can assist with equipment for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for students

The proposal deadline for 2018 contacts is November 15, 2017 One proposal webinar opportunity remains for guidance and answers to proposal questions is offered for September 25 at 4 PM EDT (2000 UTC) Advance registration is necessary which can be done at the eventbrite com website: https://tinyurl com/ANS-267-ARISS-Webinar (eventbrite com)

The ARISS website has additional details on expectations, proposal guidelines, and the proposal form See: http://www ariss org/hosting-an-ariss-contact-in-the-us html

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About ARISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a coop- erative 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 public forms Before and during these radio contacts, students, educators, parents, and communities learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio For more information, see www ariss org

Also join us on Facebook: Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Follow us on Twitter: ARISS_status

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

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KB1RVT and UX0FF QSO via AO-7

John Papay, K8YSE, sent advice to amateur satellite operators in the northeastern section of North America that Nikolay, UX0FF, is looking skeds via AO-7 John wrote, "He is an accomplished operator and worked satellites years ago He is an active EME operator and has WAS on 2M His grid square is KN45kj "

Skeds can be arranged via e-mail using the address listed on Nicolay's QRZ com page

On September 17 KB1RVT and UX0FF completed a QSO on AO-7 This was Nikolay's first satellite contact with the USA Nikolay is still looking for others to work in North America

Paul, N8HM offers additional pointers in regard to operating via AO-7 that the satellite has been observed to have been reliably in Mode B for the past several days

For the past several months, AO-7 has had a tendency to flip from Mode B to Mode A even in the presence of only modest uplink sig- nals, likely due to poor illumination on the solar panels As the seasons have progressed, it appears that the illumination situation has improved Get on and make some QSOs! This would be a particularly good time to set up skeds for extreme range QSOs

According to DK3WN's illum software, from October 15th through November 21st, AO-7 will be in constant sunlight During this period, the 24 hour timer will function and the satellite will spend 24 hours in Mode B then 24 hours in Mode A Get those 10 meter antennas ready!

[ANS thanks John Papay, K8YSE and Paul Stoetzer, N8HM for the above information]

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Polish Amateur Radio Union Award for ARISS SSTV Reception

Armand, SP3QFE reported the Polish Amateur Radio Union (PZK), in cooperation with ARISS and S P Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation ENERGIA, offer an electronic Award to Amateurs who received and decoded at least one SSTV series 7 image during the 20th Anniversary of ARISS commemorative 2017 a Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from the ISS between July20 and July 24

The SSTV pictures transmitted during this event were series #7 of 12 of images covering the history of Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) over the last 20 years

To apply for the award first upload your image(s) to the ARISS SSTV Gallery at: http://www spaceflightsoftware com/ARISS_SSTV/index php

The Award rules and a link to the on-line application form are on-line at: http://ariss pzk org pl/sstv/ The deadline to apply is September 30, 2017 at 23:59 UTC

Note: If you have already uploaded images to the ARISS SSTV Gallery you do not need to re-submit the image and only need to complete the application form

[ANS thanks Armand, SP3QFE for the above information]

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W5PFG Awarded Grid Master Award #5

The Grid Master Award is sponsored by WA4HFN and WA4NVM to encourage amateur radio operators to get on the air and make contacts To qualify for the Grid Master Award you must make confirmed satellite contact with all 488 grids in the U S

Prior Grid Master Award winners include: + #1 -- John Papay, K8YSE + #2 -- Doug Papay, KD8CAO + #3 -- Rick Tillman, WA4NVM + #4 -- Glenn Miller, AA5PK

This week Damon Runion, WA4HFN, announced that Grid Master Award #5 has been awarded to Clayton Coleman, W5PFG

For more information Damon requests you send an e-mail to him at the address listed on QRZ com or visit his web site at: https://sites google com/view/squirtthebirds/home

These awards are free, Damon and Rick only ask that you make a donation to AMSAT NA

[ANS thanks Damon Runion, WA4HFN for the above information]

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October Russian Arctic DXpedition Includes Satellite Operation

Members of the Russian Robinson Club (RRC) continue planning for their next Arctic operation Look for RI1F to be active from Victoriya Island (EU-190) They plan to leave Murmansk around September, 27 They are expected to operate between October 1-7

This island group has never been activated before These islands also count for DXCC purposes as Franz Josef Land

Activity will be on 160-10 meters, including the WARC bands, VHF and UHF Operations will be on CW, SSB, the Digital modes, EME (dates are October 3-7) and the satellites

They plan to operate from two different sites (one HF and EME; one VHF/UHF) The complete break down can be see on QRZ com

Currently, 12 operators have been named: Igor/UA9KDF (Team leader), Yury/ UA9OBA (RRC President), Andrey/UA9LDD (CW op), Valery/UA0ZC (CW/SSB op), Vladimir/R9LR (SSB/CW op), Sergey/UA9KB (CW op), Artemy/UA9KAM (Photo, video, SSB op), Andrey/RT9K (Mechanic, cook, SSB op), Victor/RW0BG (CW/SSB op), Mikhail/UA1QV (CW/SSB op), Valery/RA9J (CW/SSB op) and Vladimir, son of UA9LDD; CW/SSB op)

The Pilot station is Igor, RA3CQ QSL via ClubLog's OQRS or by the Bureau QSL Manager is Alexandr, RX9KM Watch QRZ com for updates Their Web page is still under construction at: http://legendsarctic com

[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No 1328 for the above information]

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November Satellite Activity Planned for HC8 Galapagos DXpedition

HC8, GALAPAGOS ISLANDS An Argentinian group will be active as HC8LU from San Cristobal Island in the Galapagos Islands between November 29 to December 8, 2017

Operators include Alejandro/LU8YD, Alejandro/LU9VEA, Mario/LU7VB, and Patricio/LU3YK Pilot stations are Sergio/LU7YS and Javier/ LU5FF

Activity will be on 160-10 meters using mainly SSB and Digital modes (WSPR, JT65, FT8, PSK31) Also operations on the satellites (LEO, FM and SSB) QSL via IK2DUW

Visit their Blog page for updates, at: https://hc8lu blogspot com ar

[ANS thanks the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No 1331 for the above information]

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Balloon Flight with Radio BLT-49 South Texas September 30

The South Texas Balloon Launch Team says they plan to fly a multiple radio mission from their Wharton Intergalactic Spaceport in Wharton, TX on September 30, 2017 at 10AM CDT

The BLT-49 website is http://www w5acm net/b49 html Contact: John Maca ab5ss@swbell net QRZ com: KG5FQX Coords: 29 2543, -96 1544 Grid: EL19WG

Tracking specific information: + APRS FI: KG5FQX-11, W5ACM-11 + Telemetry: APRS: 144 390Mhz

Current Payload Manifest includes: + NEW Payload is a DMR Repeater on 446 5 MHz Up / 441 000 Down (Color Code 1, Timeslot 1, Talkgroup 99 - Standard DMR Simplex settings) + Crossband FM Repeater on 446 000 Up / 147 435 Down + Live DVB-T Digital ATV on 434 MHz + Digital Camera with a picture every 15 seconds + Balloon Burst Video Camera and several GoPro's + SmartBeacon sending temp in CW on 28 322 MHz + WSPR beacon on 20M

Check the BLT-49 website or contact Andy MacAllister, W5ACM@amsat org for the latest flight/payload information

[ANS thanks Andy MacAllister, W5ACM and the BALLOON_SKED group on yahoogroups com for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

• Congratulations to AMSAT-SM (Sweden) on their 35th anniversary Lars Thunberg SM0TGU, wrote, "AMSAT-SM was founded April 24, 1982 by a group of swedish hams The first AMSAT-SM president was Thomas Johansson, SM5IXE Today AMSAT-SM has aprox 200 members and we have an active news feed via web, Twitter and Youtube" http://www amsat se/english-info/ https://twitter com/amsat_sm https://www youtube com/AMSATSM" (via Lars Thunberg SM0TGU)

• Following the recent ARISS-Europe Board elections, four candidates were elected unopposed for a term of two years Oliver, DG6BCE is chairman, Emanuele, I0ELE is technical director, Bertus, PE1KEH and Jean Pierre, F6DZP are counsellors They take office on the 1st of October (via RSGB)

• At the IARU Region 1 Conference, in recognition of his outstanding and ongoing contributions, Graham Shirville, G3VZV, was awarded the IARU Region 1 Medal for his work on Satellite Coordination (via RSGB)

• Peter Franklin‎, NX2X reported working 5J0YKF on San Andres Island (EK92)via AO-7) via AO-7 on 9/17/17 Peter commented, "Hot dog! She's an oldie but a goodie!"

• Free (hams like free!) access to electronics and radio magazines from the past Something to read while waiting for that next AO-85 pass go to http://americanradiohistory com/ The site can be searched for genre or titles can be found in the alphabetical index (i e : Popular Electronics, Popular Communications, etc ) The archived issues download as PDF files

• It is possible to search the Amsat-BB archives by using the "site:" command in Google For example, to find all mentions of the word "Diplexer" in amsat-BB, type this line into Google: Diplexer site:http://amsat org/pipermail/amsat-bb To restrict the search to a particular year, type Diplexer site:http://amsat org/pipermail/amsat-bb/2014 (via Dan Schultz N8FGV)

  • A video commemorating the 2 year anniversary of IO-86 can be found at: https://www youtube com/watch?v=iiG7Q7eZvJo&feature=youtu be (via AMSAT-NA facebook group)

• This week also marks the 2nd anniversary of LilacSat-2 (CAS-3H) which was launched along with eight other XW-2/CAS-3 amateur radio satellites on Saturday, September 19, 2015 https://amsat-uk org/satellites/communications/lilacsat-2/

  • The September edition of Weather Satellite magazine GEO Quarterly produced by the Group for Earth Observation is now available Download the PDF from http://www geo-web org uk/geoquarterly php GEO has changed from paid subscription to an optional sign-up to GEO-Subscribers Yahoo group, see http://www geo-web org uk/join php (via AMSAT-UK)

• On those evenings when the ISS is not visible in the night sky try spotting geosynchronous satellites This article from Sky & Telescope magazine tells you how to do it http://tinyurl com/ANS-267-SkyTelescopeGeo (skyandtelescope com)

• Information about the Open Source Cubesat Workshop which will be held at ESOC, Darmstadt, Germany on November 23-24, 2017 can be found at https://oscw space/

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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 And, with that ponder the question, How many tenors does it take to change a light bulb? Two one to get up on the ladder and the other to ask, "Isn't that a little high for you?"

73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM k9jkm at amsat dot org

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