AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-110

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor- mation service of AMSAT, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and commun- icating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites

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

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

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see: http://www amsat org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

• ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals
• House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris
• 3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted
• New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store
• Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR
• Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations
• Upcoming Satellite Operations
• ARISS News
• Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
• Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-110 01 ANS-110 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 110 01 From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD DATE 2020 April 19 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-110 01

ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals

ARRL Washington Counsel Dave Siddall, K3ZJ, and AMSAT Executive Vice President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, on April 8, discussed with senior FCC International Bureau staff by telephone the FCC’s draft Report & Order (R&O) on mitigation of orbital debris (IB Docket No 18-313) The ama- teur representatives told the FCC staff that “two aspects of the draft regulations are of particular concern… and would seriously hinder amateur radio’s future operations in space, if adopted as proposed without the relatively minor changes that we propose ”

First, ARRL and AMSAT requested a revision to proposed language that otherwise would allow only private individual licensees to indemnify the U S for the operations of an amateur space satellite ARRL and AMSAT requested that satellite owners be added to that provision The amateur representatives, noting that amateur radio licensees may only be individuals under the amateur rules, stated that “[i]n no other service would an individual be required to personally make a similar indemnification” and that “it would be difficult to impossible to find an individual Amateur Radio licensee willing to bear that risk ”

Second, ARRL and AMSAT asked the FCC to delay by 3 years the proposed effective date of April 23, 2022, for a rule that would require satel- lite operators to certify that space stations “be designed with the maneuvering capabilities sufficient to perform collision avoidance” for spacecraft designed to operate above 400 kilometers in altitude Citing the long lead times to design and construct Amateur satellites, ARRL and AMSAT suggested that a more reasonable date would be April 23, 2025 and noted that, based on recent past years, only an estimated 3-5 amateur satellites likely would be launched during the extra period

“We do not disagree with the purpose of this requirement,” they told the FCC staff, but “the proposed effective date is unreasonable in the case of amateur radio satellites ” The new effective date “would allow time for amateur spacecraft designers to adapt to this new require- ment,” they said

Citing the value of amateur satellites to the development of the com- mercial small satellite industry, and student participation in such projects, ARRL and AMSAT said a strong and robust Amateur Satellite Service will help inspire future developments in satellite technology The requested changes to the draft R&O would help ensure that amateur radio continues to have a future in space and contribute to the public interest on an educational, non-pecuniary basis

The FCC is expected to consider the R&O at its April 23 open meeting The AMSAT/ARRL document may be read in full at: https://bit ly/2KjfHjf

[ANS thanks the American Radio Relay League for the above information]

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House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank Lucas, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Space & Aeronautics Subcom- mittee Ranking Member Brian Babin, and Space & Aeronautics Subcommit- tee Chairwoman Kendra Horn sent a letterrequesting that the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) delay on their Proposed Rulemaking in the matter of Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age

The Science Committee Members raised a number of concerns with moving forward on the rule, including the timing of the action during the COVID-19 pandemic “Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 crisis, the immense effort undertaken to recover from the pandemic, and the potential for the FCC’s proposal to exacerbate im- pacts on U S industry and international competitiveness at a critical period in our nation’s history, we hope that you will agree to postpone future action,” the letter reads

The letter also raises substantive concerns with the rule itself, the rulemaking process, and the potential for regulatory and legislative inconsistency, noting significant concerns from stakeholders [inclu- ding AMSAT]

“The proposal contradicts Executive Branch policy and is inconsistent with existing and proposed legislative action,” the letter states “Regulatory action by the FCC at this time, without clear authority from Congress, will at the very least create confusion and undermine the Commission’s work, and at worst undermine U S economic competi- tiveness and leadership in space ” The letter also mentions that FCC action could duplicate efforts at the Department of Commerce

The full text of the letter is available at: https://bit ly/3bhJqoC

[ANS thanks spaceref com 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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3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted

AMSAT VP - Educational Relations, Dr Alan Johnston, KU2Y, posted his build of the 3D printed 'Universal 1U Cubesat Frame' by Juliano85 at: https://thingiverse com/make:789484 Alan notes, "It is a perfect frame for the new AMSAT CubeSatSim, a low cost CubeSat functional satellite model " Information on building the Simulator can found at: http://cubesatsim org

The CubeSatSim is a low cost satellite emulator that runs on solar pan- els and batteries, and transmits UHF radio telemetry The simulator is a tool for education and demonstrations It can be used in a classroom or training setting to introduce the basics of satellites, or it can be used to teach STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) con- cepts It can also be a stepping stone in a project to build and launch an actual flight model CubeSat

[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, VP - Educational Relations, for the above information]

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       Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront

      25% of the purchase price of each product goes
        towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
          https://www
zazzle
com/amsat_gear

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New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store

Thanks to an post on Twitter from Michael Styne, K2MTS, AMSAT is pleased to offer a new t-shirt on the AMSAT Zazzle Store This t- shirt design is available in variants suitable for printing on either dark or lightly colored shirts

The shirt features a representation of AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in orbit with the tagline "OSCAR - Adventure and Excitement in Space Age Communication" This image was used in advertisements for the 1978 ARRL book "Getting to Know OSCAR " The ARRL has granted AMSAT permission to republish this classic image as a t-shirt

Get yours today! 25% of the purchase price goes towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space

https://www zazzle com/oscar_t_shirt_dark-235643945481104970

https://www zazzle com/oscar_t_shirt_light-235449229998854129

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

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Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR

Zoltan Doczi (HA7DCD) has published a tutorial that shows how to re- ceive signals from the SMOG-P and ATL-1 nano satellites which were launched via Rocket Lab back in late 2019

SMOG-P is a Hungarian nano satellite developed by BME University It's payload consists of an on board spectrum analyzer that is designed to measure electromagnetic pollution (electrosmog) from space, and to al- so monitor the DVB-T spectrum It currently holds the title of the world's smallest satellite in operation ATL-1 is another Hungarian satellite this time developed by ATL Ltd Its mission is to test a new thermal isolation material in space and to monitor the DVB-T spectrum

To receive telemetry from these satellites one can use a Raspberry Pi, RTL-SDR, Yagi, and optionally an LNA and filter In his post Zoltan shows how to install the SMOG-P decoder, and provides a script that automatically decodes, uploads packets to the BME University server, and archives old IQ files and packets

Zoltan notes that if you wish to receive these satellites, now is the time to do so as these nano satellites are in a very low orbit and on- ly have an orbital lifespan of only 6-8 months total

The full blog post with photos may be found at: https://bit ly/2VeTk56 and at https://bit ly/3cnfV4Z

[ANS thanks Zoltan Doczi, HA7DCD, and RTL-SDR com for the above infor- mation]

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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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Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations

The official corporate blogs of two businesses closely related to the amateur radio market have focused attention on introducing newcomers to the world of satellites in this past week Icom America, Inc and DX Engineering have both featured satellite operations in blog posts, and have promoted these posts on their corporate social media channels

Electronics manufacturer Icom America featured a post introducing sat- ellite operations to newcomers this week The blog post, authored by Jim Wilson, K5ND, is titled, "Satellite Operations – Amazing Technol- ogy, Grids and Grins " The post is dated April 13, 2020

In a social media post the same day, @IcomAmericaInc tweeted: "Have you ever tried satellite operations? If you haven't, we have a short blog by Jim Wilson @k5nd that can spark your interest Find out more at: https://bit ly/2WWF0PU "

The blog entry, which includes many photos and graphics, offers some basic information on satellites currently available, discusses ideas for possible ground stations, and mentions satellite operating activi- ties such as DX, grid chasing, and roaming The post also includes a link to amsat org and promotes the 2019 Edition of Getting Started with Amateur Satellites, published by AMSAT

[ANS thanks Icom America for the above information]

Also, amateur radio retailer DX Engineering placed a satellite post in the Technical Articles section of their "On All Bands" blog The post, by Sean Kutzko, KX9X, appeared on April 15

Titled, "How to Predict and Track a Satellite Pass," the post offers a basic primer on satellite tracking and reviews a number of online sat- ellite tracking sites, as well as some of the available tracking soft- ware and apps for Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems SatPC32, which is available through AMSAT, is prominently mentioned

A Tweet from @SeanKutzko states: "To access a #hamradio satellite, you have to know when it’s above the horizon and where to point your an- tenna My latest blog for @DXEngineering shows you how to do both! https://onallbands com/how-to-predict-and-track-a-satellite-pass/ @AMSAT #amsat #hamr #arrl #KX9X"

[ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, for the above information]

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Due to COVID-19, there are no announced satellite operations at this moment Any roving activity of which AMSAT becomes aware will be post- ed at: https://www amsat org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/

Until then, stay safe and keep making contacts from home

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services 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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ARISS News

ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir- ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology, engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology through amateur radio

The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem- ber in their own homes (even quarantined)

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

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Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space? AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet- ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events

Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have been cancelled or postponed While we make every effort to ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some that we missed We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest near you soon

Current schedule:

(May 2, 2020) Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI
   has been postponed to September 26, 2020
June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX

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

March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN
March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest,
          Scottsdale, AZ
March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ
March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA
April 4, 2020 River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society
          Presentation, Faribault, MN
April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest,
          Brainerd, MN
May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra
          Vista, AZ
May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ
May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH

A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from: https://bit ly/2ygVFmV This color brochure is designed to be printed double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout

To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration, please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the above information]

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Satellite Shorts From All Over

• The Hubble Space Telescope explores the universe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week That means it has observed some fascinating cosmic won- der every day of the year, including on your birthday What did Hub- ble look at on your birthday? Enter the month and date to find out at: https://go nasa gov/2RJeAxu (ANS thanks NASA gov for the above information)

• The Youth on the Air Camp in the Americas, a summer camp for licens- ed amateur radio operators ages 15 through 25 that was scheduled to take place June 21 through June 26, 2020 at the National Voice of America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester Township (North Cin- cinnati), Ohio has been postponed until the summer of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic A satellite session had been planned for this event For more information about YOTA in the Americas can be found at YouthOnTheAir org (ANS thanks Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, for the above informa- tion)

• Houston, we’ve had a problem April 11th marked the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13’s launch Check out the amazing Apollo 13 in Real Time to follow the mission as it happened or jump to any point in the mis- sion timeline) at: https://apolloinrealtime org/13/ NASA also re- leased "Apollo 13: Home Safe," a 30 minute documentary that follows the mission, available at: https://www youtube com/watch?v=WM8kjDF0IJU Apollo 13 remains one of the greatest all-time feats of human ingenuity and improvisation under pressure (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

• Space has not been insulated from the virus An article cataloging some of the impacts of the pandemic on the spaceflight, "How the Coronavirus Outbreak is Affecting the Space Industry," can be found at: http://www satmagazine com/story php?number=818620039 (ANS thanks SatMagazine for the above information)

• The International Space Station Expedition 62 crew, consisting of NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir, Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan, KI5AAA, and Commander Oleg Skripochka, RA0LDJ, departed the Interna- tional Space Station and landed in Kazakhstan on Friday, 17 April The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft undocked from the aft port of the sta- tion's Zvezda service module at 0153z Friday, and landed on the Kazakh steppe at 0516z The replacement crew, consisting of NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived at the ISS on April 9 (ANS thanks SpacelightNow for the above information)

• ARRL members will now receive digital access to four ARRL magazines beginning with their latest issues Joining QST and On the Air maga- zines on a digital platform will be the bimonthly editions of QEX — The Forum for Communications Experimenters and NCJ — National Con- test Journal Print subscriptions of QEX and NCJ will continue to be available at additional cost for those who want to receive them All four magazines are easily accessed through any web browser from members-only links, or via the free ARRL Magazines app is available for iOS and Android (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information)

• Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite is nearly 20 years old, and well beyond its expected lifespan, but a small spacecraft built by Northrop Grumman succeeded in docking with the satellite and giving it an- other five years of service, the companies announced on Friday The feat is a space industry first Full article at: https://tinyurl com/y7ta8qzr (ANS thanks Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, and CNBC com for the above infor- mation)

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In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive addi- tional benefits Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership at one-half the standard yearly rate Post-secondary school students enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu- dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership information

73 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space, This week's ANS Editor, Mark D Johns, K0JM

k0jm at amsat dot org

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