• ANS-216 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    From CX2SA@21:5/101 to SAT on Sat Aug 3 23:50:02 2019
    R:190803/2242Z 7482@VA3TOK.#SCON.ON.CAN.NOAM LinBPQ6.0.18
    R:190803/2225Z 29136@VE3UIL.#EON.ON.CAN.NA LinBPQ6.0.18
    R:190803/2224Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:11371 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:ANS-216.01

    From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
    To : SAT@AMSAT


    AMSAT News Service Bulletin 216.01
    From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
    DATE YYY
    To All RADIO AMATEURS
    BID: $ANS-216.01

    CAS-7B Designated BIT Progress-OSCAR 102 (BO-102)

    On July 25, 2019, the CAS-7B (BP-1B) microsatellite was launched on a Hyperbola-1 launch vehicle from the Jiuquan Space Center, China.
    CAS-7B (BP-1B) was developed by the Chinese Amateur Satellite Group
    (CAMSAT), and in cooperation with the Beijing Institute of Technology
    (BIT). CAMSAT completed the project planning, design, build, and
    testing, and manages the on-orbit operation of the satellite. BIT
    provided the satellite environmental testing, launch support, and
    financial support. Many students from BIT were involved with the
    project, learning about satellite technology and amateur radio. The
    satellite carries a CW telemetry beacon and FM repeater that has been
    active since launch.

    At the request of CAMSAT and the BIT team, AMSAT hereby designates
    CAS-7B (BP-1B) as BIT Progress-OSCAR 102 (BO-102). We congratulate the
    owners and operators of BO-102, thank them for their contribution to
    the amateur satellite community, and wish them continued success on
    this and future projects.

    [ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations and OSCAR
    Number Administrator, for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMSAT and ARISS Designing Amateur Radio System for Lunar Gateway

    As announced at the AMSAT Forun at the Dayton Hamvention, AMSAT and
    ARISS are working on the design of a ham radio system for NASA's Lunar
    Gateway. The Gateway will be a small spaceship in orbit around the
    Moon that will provide access to more of the lunar surface than ever
    before with living quarters for astronauts, a lab for science and re-
    search, ports for visiting spacecraft, and more. First sections of the
    Gateway are scheduled for launch in 2022.

    To make this happen we are leveraging the work and expertise of the
    world-wide AMSAT organizations and the international ARISS community
    in this endeavor. We have an international team working this and are
    meeting 2x a month to mature the concept. In May we presented our
    solid concept to NASA and got great, positive feedback. This was
    followed up a few weeks later at the ARISS-I meeting at the Canadian
    Space Agency (CSA) in Montreal where we received great feedback from
    the CSA Gateway Program Manager after he saw our presentation.

    The AREx (Amateur Radio Exploration) team have done some really good
    work. The challenge for amateurs will be on the order of a 30 dB
    signal path loss as compared to LEO. But the link margins on our de-
    sign seem to close.

    AMSAT NA, UK & DL and ARISS-together--are working this phenomenal ham
    radio challenge. Come to the AMSAT-NA Symposium in DC to hear more.

    [ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT V.P. for Human Spaceflight
    Programs, for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    The 50th Anniversary AMSAT Space Symposium will be held
    October 18-20 in Arlington, VA. For details, see:

    https://www.amsat.org/amsat-symposium/

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    ARISS SSTV Owen Garriott Event Underway

    ARISS celebrates the life and accomplishments of astronaut,
    scientist and ham radio pioneer Owen Garriott with a commemorative
    SSTV event featuring images from Garriott's work with ham radio during
    his missions in space.

    The event began on August 1 at 09:40 UTC and is scheduled to end at
    18:15 UTC on August 4. There are currently twelve separate images
    being sent at 145.800 MHz FM in the SSTV mode PD-120. As always,
    activities are subject to change dictated by the crew's schedule.

    Once received, images can be posted and viewed by the public at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php and users can
    receive a special SSTV ARISS Award for posting images.
    See https://ariss.pzk.org.pl/sstv/ for details.

    Also for simplicity, a new information tab for SSTV events has been
    added to the ARISS website, under the General Contacts pulldown menu
    at www.ariss.org. The latest updates can also be found at the ARISS
    Facebook site Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS)
    and on Twitter @ ARISS_status.

    [ANS thanks ARISS and Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, for the above
    information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMSAT Member Named Young Ham of the Year

    Dhruv Rebba, KC9ZJX, of Normal, Illinois, has been selected as the
    2019 Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham
    of the Year. Dhruv, 15, is the son of Hari Rebba, VU2SPZ, and Shailaja
    Panyam. He is entering his sophomore year at the Normal Community High
    School this fall.

    He is a member of the Central Illinois Radio Club. Dhruv earned his
    Technician Class license in 2013 when he was only 9 years old. He
    followed it up by passing the test for a General Class license a year
    later. Dhruv says his interest in amateur radio was sparked by a 2013
    visit to the Dayton Hamvention(R) with his father, a long-time amateur
    radio operator from India who settled in the U.S.

    "He was going to the Hamvention and so I wanted to tag along," Dhruv
    recalls. "There I got to see all the cool stuff like the Morse-Code
    keyers and all the radios and everything and I decided to start study-
    ing for my Technician class."

    After getting his license, Dhruv became involved in Field Days and
    public service events with the Central Illinois Radio Club, including
    the "We Care Twin Cities Marathon" and the "Hop on for Hope Bike Ride/
    Walk." Dhruv says he found a way to combine his interest in space and engineering with his new hobby. He joined AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satel-
    lite Corporation) and pursued his dream of a school contact with an
    astronaut aboard the International Space Station.

    In October 2017, he served as the lead control operator for an Amateur
    Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact with students
    at his school - the Chiddix Junior High School in Normal, IL - with
    astronaut Joe Acaba, KE5DAR. In late July of this year, Dhruv helped
    to facilitate another ARISS contact with international Scouts attend-
    ing the World Jamboree in West Virginia and monitored the contact from
    his home.

    ARISS presentations at Dayton and Huntsville, his selection as an
    ARISS mentor and networking with those putting together the ARISS con-
    tact for the World Jamboree led to his role in the July 2019 contact.
    In 2018, Dhruv was selected for the Dave Kalter Memorial Youth DX
    Adventure. He traveled to Curacao Island in July 2018 where the PJ2Y
    team made a record 6,262 contacts with 135 countries over five days.
    Dhruv says he enjoyed operating his favorite mode, SSB. Dhruv has
    earned many accolades for his amateur radio pursuits including the
    "Young Ham Lends A Hand" award at the 2019 Dayton Hamvention Youth
    Forum; "Presidential Award" from AMSAT; and the "Young Achievers
    Award" from the Radio Club of America.

    He also has traveled to India to promote amateur radio awareness and
    spoke at the ZPH School, NP Kunta, India in January 2018. He discussed
    the importance of wireless communications and their role during disas-
    ters. Dhruv started the "Universal Help Foundation" to help underpriv-
    ileged students on a global scale. Among his first projects was a digi-
    tal project at a girls' high school in NP Kunta, India this past Jan-
    uary. Dhruv also has an interest in robotics and has worked as a
    mentor helping elementary school students build robots. This past
    April, Dhruv's "MetalCow Robotics" team finished fourth overall in the international competition sponsored by NASA in Detroit.

    Dhruv says a visit to the AMSAT booth at the 2019 Dayton Hamvention
    prompted him to sign on for the "Amateur Radio Exploration on the
    Moon" project. "We're designing an amateur radio system to be on the
    Gateway Space Station and the Moon," he says. Dhruv will be recog-
    nized during the Huntsville Hamfest on Aug. 17 in the Von Braun Center, Huntsville AL.

    The Young Ham of the Year was inaugurated by William Pasternak, WA6ITF,
    in 1986. Upon his passing in 2015, Bill's name was added to the award
    as a memorial to his commitment to recognizing the accomplishments of
    young people to the amateur radio service. Amateur Radio Newsline, CQ
    Magazine and Yaesu USA are primary sponsors of the award, along with
    Heil Sound Ltd. and Radiowavz Antenna Company.

    [ANS thanks CQ Communications, Inc. for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    AMSAT member Wins Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award

    The 2019 Alabama Outstanding Youth Ham Award goes to Marissa Robledo,
    W4AQT. This particular Amateur Radio operator gazes at and studies the
    skies almost daily. She has a deep interest in satellite communication
    and loves sharing that interest with others. Her passion is evident in
    awards she has received, forums where she has presented, along with
    the activities in which she participates.

    Marissa is a twelve year old General class license-holder who lives in Montgomery, AL and is devoted to consistently learning and growing in
    the great hobby of Amateur Radio. She exhibits enthusiasm, knowledge,
    and rapid growth in many areas of Amateur Radio.

    The formal presentation of this award will take place at the 2019
    Huntsville Hamfest on August 17th, 2019 at 12:30 p.m.

    [ANS thanks Bryant Rascoll, KG5HVO, Alabama Section Youth Coordinator,
    for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    ARISS Next Gen System Completes Critical Flight Certification Tests

    The Interoperable Radio System (IORS), ARISSΓÇÖ next generation radio
    system successfully completed a battery of stressful tests required as
    part of the final certification of the hardware for launch to and
    operation on the International Space Station.

    During the week of July 8, the IORS, consisting of the JVC Kenwood
    D-710GA Radio and the AMSAT developed Multi-Voltage Power Supply, suc- cessfully completed a series of Electro-magnetic Interference (EMI)/ Electro-Magnetic Compatibility (EMC) tests to ensure that the ARISS
    hardware will not interfere with the ISS systems or other payloads.
    Testing continued into the following week, where the IORS successfully
    passed power quality and acoustics testing. These tests verified that
    the ARISS IORS will not introduce harmful signals back into the ISS
    power system and is quiet enough to meet ISS acoustic requirements.
    ARISS Hardware Team members Lou McFadin, W5DID and Kerry Banke, N6IZW
    were at the NASA Johnson Space Center supporting this two week battery
    of tests in concert with the NASA test and certification team.

    Kerry Banke states, ΓÇ£Since the IORS is being qualified to operate on
    120VDC, 28VDC and Russian 28VDC as well as transmitting on VHF or UHF,
    a lot of test combinations were required to cover all cases. Each in-
    put voltage type was also tested at low, medium and high line voltage. Moreover, additional permutations were required to test the IORS under
    no load, medium load and full load at each voltage level. So it should
    not be surprising why the tests took two weeks to complete.ΓÇ¥

    Successful completion of these tests represents a key milestone in
    preparing the IORS for launch. ARISS can now begin final assembly of
    the flight safety certification in preparation for launch. ARISS is
    working towards launch ready status by the end of the year.

    [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    AMSAT and ARISS are currently supporting a FundRazr campaign
    to raise $150,000 for critical radio infrastructure upgrades
    on ISS. The upgrades are necessary to enable students to
    continue to talk to astronauts in space via Amateur Radio.
    We have reached a great milestone with $33,250 raised
    or about 17% towards our goal. This would not have been
    possible without your outstanding generosity!!

    For more information and to DONATE TODAY visit:

    https://fundrazr.com/arissnextgen?ref=ab_e7Htwa_ab_47IcJ9

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Upcoming ARISS Contact Schedule

    Quick list of scheduled contacts and events as of 2019-07-30 03:00 UTC:

    Kyoto Tachibana Junior & Senior High School, Kyoto, Japan, direct via
    8N3KT. The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS. The sched-
    uled astronaut is Nick Hague KG5TMV. Contact is go for: Thu 2019-08-08
    at 10:36:37 UTC 56 degrees maximum elevation

    [ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    VUCC Awards-Endorsements for July 2019

    Here are the endorsements and new VUCC Satellite Awards issued by the
    ARRL for the period July 1, 2019 through August 1, 2019. Congratula-
    tions to all those who made the list this month!

    CALL Jul 01Aug
    AA8CH 550 584
    WD9EWK 567 575
    NS3L 475 505
    AE5B ??? 442
    K9UO 400 425
    W5TD 381 384
    KE8FZT 325 350
    K5IX 300 325
    PS8ET 211 275
    WW8W 201 228
    AB1OC 184 215
    KJ4EU 151 206
    AA4QE 102 204
    N7EGY 169 200
    ND0C 153 200
    PR8KW New 200
    LW2DAF 125 130
    KC9VGG 102 127
    KC9UQR New 113
    XE2YWH New 102
    K5ZM New 101
    N4QX New 100
    If you find errors or omissions. please contact W5RKN. This list was
    developed by comparing the ARRL .pdf listings for the two months. It's
    a visual comparison so omissions are possible. Apologies if your call
    was omitted.

    Thanks to all those who are roving to grids that are rarely on the
    birds. They are doing most of the work!

    [ANS thanks Ron Parsons, W5RKN, for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    LightSail 2 Successfully Demonstrates Flight by Light

    The Planetary Society's crowdfunded LightSail 2 spacecraft is success-
    fully raising its orbit solely on the power of sunlight.

    Since unfurling the spacecraft's silver solar sail last week, mission
    managers have been optimizing the way the spacecraft orients itself
    during solar sailing. After a few tweaks, LightSail 2 began raising
    its orbit around the Earth. In the past 4 days, the spacecraft has
    raised its orbital high point, or apogee, by about 2 kilometers. The
    mission team has confirmed the apogee increase can only be attributed
    to solar sailing, meaning LightSail 2 has successfully completed its
    primary goal of demonstrating flight by light for CubeSats.

    On Monday, July 29, LightSail 2 sent home a new full-resolution image
    captured by its camera during solar sail deployment. The perspective
    is opposite to last weekΓÇÖs full-resolution image and shows the sail
    more fully deployed. LightSail 2's aluminized Mylar sail shines
    against the blackness of space, with the Sun peeking through near a
    sail boom.

    LightSail 2 uses the callsign WM9XPA and transmits its beacon on
    437.025 MHz, AX.25, FSK, 9600 bps. Beacon parameters and more informa-
    tion on the spacecraft may be found at: https://tinyurl.com/y5r6758v

    [ANS thanks The Planetary Society for the above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    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

    +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for August 1, 2019

    The following Amateur Radio satellite has decayed from orbit and has
    been removed from this week's TLE distribution.

    TANYUSHA 1 - NORAD CAT ID 42911 - Decayed 07/30/2019 (per Space-Track)

    The following Amateur Radio satellites have been added to this week's
    TLE distribution.

    PSAT 2 - NORAD CAT ID 44354 (per Space-Track)
    BRICsat 2 - NORAD CAT ID 44355 (per Space-Track)
    Oculus-ASR - NORAD CAT ID 44356 (per Space-Track)
    CP9 - NORAD CAT ID 44360 (per Space-Track)
    Move-IIb - NORAD CAT ID 44398 (per Nico Janssen, PA0DLO)
    SONATE - NORAD CAT ID 44400 (per Nico Janssen, PA0DLO)

    The following Amateur Radio satellites have a name change in this
    week's TLE distribution.

    CAS-7B (now been designated as BIT Progress-OSCAR 102 or BO-102) has
    now been assigned NORAD CAT ID 44443. Note that this is the current
    best guess CAT ID for BO-102. Also the TLE drag number for BO-102 has
    been rapidly increasing and is now at 0.01093482. BO-102 is expected
    to decay from orbit in about eight days.

    Object A (NORAD CAT ID 44339) is now identified as Prox-1.

    [ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the
    above information]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Upcoming Satellite Operations

    +CY9 St. Paul Island (FN97) ΓÇô July 31 to August 8, 2019
    CY9C will be on St. Paul Island July 31st through August 8th. This is
    an all bands/mode dxpedition, with EME and Sats as well. More info
    available at http://cy9c.com/index.html.

    +Florida Keys (EL95) August 4-11, 2019
    Philippe, EA4NF will be operating from EL95 (Key Largo and Brickell
    Key) as KC3NSG, from August 4 to 11, 2019. FM and Linears. QSL via
    LoTW. Keep an eye on PhilippeΓÇÖs Twitter feed for further updates: https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT

    +Washington Invasion (CN96/96 & DN06/07/17/17) ΓÇô August 9-10, 2019
    Casey, KI7UNJ, will be heading North to invade the State of
    Washington, August 9th and 10th. Keep an eye on CaseyΓÇÖs Twitter feed
    for specific pass announcements: https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ

    +St Pierre et Miquelon (GN16) ΓÇô August 10-18, 2019
    A DXpedition is planned to St Pierre et Miquelon, August 10th through
    the 18th. The team will operate as T05M will from Ile aux Marins on 6-
    160m, but there is a possibility of some FM Satellites. Keep an eye on
    their website for updates: http://fp2019.net/

    +Santa Rosa Island, CA (CM93) ΓÇô August 12-14, 2019
    Ron, AD0DX, is heading back to Santa Rosa Island, August 12th -14th.
    When not distracted by the feathered-birds, Ron will be on FM and
    linear satellites as W6R. Keep an eye on RonΓÇÖs Twitter feed for
    updates at the dates get closer. https://twitter.com/ad0dx

    +Goose Bay, Labrador (FO93) August 12-14, 2019
    Chris, VE3FU, will be visiting family / friends and maintenance of
    his HF remote station in FO93, but he should be on the FM sats as
    VO2AC. Chris will try to post here before each pass, so keep an eye
    on his Twitter feed: https://twitter.com/ChrisVE3FU

    +6Y - Jamaica (FK18) August 12-19, 2019
    Philippe, EA4NF will be operating from JAMAICA (IOTA NA-097 ΓÇô Grid
    FK18) in Satellite with the special call 6Y4NF from August 12 to 19,
    2019. QRV Satellite in FM and SSB. QSL via LoTW. Keep an eye on
    PhilippeΓÇÖs Twitter feed for further updates :
    https://twitter.com/EA4NF_SAT.

    Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org
    Remember to check out W3ZM On the Road for additional upcoming
    activations! https://www.amsat.org/events/was-w3zm/

    [ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, for the above information.]

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    Satellite Shorts From All Over

    + The Space Communicator Club of Las Flores, Calif. provide a public
    website for monitoring Satellite APRS Packets received in the most
    recent 24 hour period: http://spaceCommunicator.club/aprs
    (ANS thanks Robert MacHale, KE6BLR, for the above information)

    + The Federal Communications Commission voted on August 1 to create a
    new licensing category for small satellite companies that will
    dramatically reduce launch fees. Full story at:
    https://tinyurl.com/y4k588ko
    (ANS thanks Texas Public Radio for the above information)

    + SpaceX's robotic Dragon cargo capsule arrived at the International
    Space Station on July 27, setting a new record for SpaceX's reusable
    spacecraft. The Dragon, which launched July 25 from Florida's Cape
    Canaveral Air Force Station atop a two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, was on
    its third mission to space.
    (ANS thanks Space.com for the above information)

    + W3XO, the call sign held by former AMSAT President Bill Tynan (SK)
    has been issued to the Hill Country Amateur Radio Club of Kerrville,
    Texas, as a memorial. Bill was a leading member and past president
    of that club, as well as of AMSAT.
    (ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS, for the above information)

    + Ballots for the 2019 AMSAT Board of Directors election have been
    mailed. Candidate statements may be found at
    https://www.amsat.org/2019-board-statements/

    + Hackaday, an online journal for technical experimenters, published
    an article about the history of the AO-7 satellite on August 2. It
    can be read at: https://tinyurl.com/yyy5oapn
    (ANS thanks hackaday.com for the above information)


    ---------------------------------------------------------------------



    --- Mystic BBS v1.12 A43 (Linux/32)
    * Origin: HAMRADIO telnet lu9dce.dynu.com (21:5/101)