• [ANS] ANS-093 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    From Paul Stoetzer@21:1/5 to All on Sat Apr 2 20:59:30 2022
    XPost: rec.radio.info

    AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
    ANS-093

    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

    You can 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/

    In this edition:

    * AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention -- Call for Volunteers
    * Kerry Banke to be honored with the 2022 Hamvention Special Achievement
    Award
    * NASA On The Air (NOTA) Special Event Stations
    * VUCC Satellite Awards/Endorsements For April 1, 2022
    * New GridMasters
    * ARISS News
    * Upcoming Satellite Operations
    * Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
    * Satellite Shorts From All Over

    ANS-093 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

    To: All RADIO AMATEURS
    From: Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation
    712 H Street NE, Suite 1653
    Washington, DC 20002

    DATE 2022 Apr 3

    AMSAT at the Dayton Hamvention -- Call for Volunteers

    The Dayton Hamvention is six weeks away!

    It is time to be creating your shopping list and making your travel plans.

    We've had a good response so far to our call for volunteers, but we could really use another 10-15 people.

    The 2022 Hamvention is May 20-22 in Xenia, Ohio. Would you consider helping AMSAT at the Hamvention this year?

    The interaction with AMSAT members, satellite operators, designers, and builders makes the whole experience a lot of fun. Meet or renew
    acquaintances, exchange operating tips, and find out what antennas,
    software and equipment other AMSAT members use.

    If you're an experienced operator, great! We can use you and your
    experience.

    If you've never operated a satellite before, but want to learn more, that's
    OK. We can use your help too.

    Whether you're available for only a couple of hours or if you can spend the entire weekend with us, your help would be greatly appreciated.

    Please send an e-mail to Phil, w1eme at amsat.org if you can help. Thank
    you!

    [ANS thanks Phil Smith, W1EME, AMSAT Dayton Hamvention Team Lead, for the
    above information]

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

    Kerry Banke to be honored with the 2022 Hamvention Special Achievement Awar
    d

    The Hamvention awards committee recently announced that Kerry Banke, N6IZW,
    has won the 2022 Hamvention Special Achievement Award for his efforts in
    the design, development, manufacturing, and human spaceflight certification
    of the ARISS Multi-Voltage Power Supply (MVPS). The MVPS is a foundational element of the ARISS next generation radio system, which is now on-orbit.
    The Hamvention Special Achievement Award is given each year to a deserving amateur that has made an outstanding contribution advancing the art and/or science.

    Now retired, Banke spent most of his career in the research and development
    of electronics systems as a microwave RF (Radio Frequency) electrical
    engineer. This included 14 years as Qualcomm engineer, developing
    innovative microwave wireless technologies. Kerry’s electronic inte
    rests
    span DC (Direct Current) to light with particular interest and expertise in microwaves. His ham radio operations have included transmissions on 136 kHz through Laser. Since 1982 he has served as host of the San Diego Microwave Group’s monthly meeting, sharing his expertise with other hams of l
    ike
    interest.

    Mr. Banke’s exceptional support to Human Spaceflight Amateur Radio
    began in
    1994 where he served as a school technical mentor and certified ground
    station for the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) program. When NASA transitioned from the Shuttle to the International Space Station (ISS),
    Kerry became an exemplary member of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) hardware team. For seven years, working from his home
    and electronics lab garage in La Mesa, California, Mr. Banke led the
    circuit design, breadboarding, flight circuit board layout, assembly, and testing of the MVPS. The MVPS, which occupies a volume roughly the size of
    two stacked reams of paper, can connect into different ISS power sources
    (120 VDC and 28 VDC) and simultaneously power up to 18 devices with
    multiple voltage level input needs.

    ARISS USA Executive Director, Frank Bauer, said “The ARISS team is
    proud of
    Kerry’s sustained exemplary support to ARISS. His contributions to
    our next
    generation radio system are transformative, enabling expanded ARISS
    operations for ham radio operators and enhanced STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education outcomes for youth.” Through this
    system
    60 to 80 foreign and domestic ARISS school contacts are conducted each year with 150,000 to 200,000 students, teachers, and members of the public
    engaged. Amateur radio operators also enjoy over 100,000 digital and voice repeater connections from this radio system each year.

    [ANS thanks ARISS-USA for the above information]


    ++++++++++
    ++++++++
    The 2022 AMSAT President's Club coins have arrived!
    To commemorate the 50th anniversary of its launch on
    October 15, 1972, this year's coin features
    an image of AMSAT-OSCAR 6.
    Join the AMSAT President's Club today and help
    Keep Amateur Radio in Space! https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/
    ++++++++++
    ++++++++

    NASA On The Air (NOTA) Special Event Stations

    There is an Amateur Radio club established at many NASA field centers
    across the USA. Their members gather together to highlight NASA milestones
    the way such events are done best. That is, through radio. These club
    members are made up of civil servants, contractor personnel, retirees and recognized community members. Some clubs are large and well supported, some
    are small and struggle. But they have a common goal to show their support
    to NASA and space fans everywhere by highlighting the history of some
    amazing accomplishments.

    The first NASA On The Air (NOTA) special event of the year will be held on Saturday, April 23, through Wednesday, April 27, to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 16 mission to the moon. Different NASA radio
    clubs will go on the air at different times to make two-way contacts with fellow space enthusiastic ham radio operators.

    For the list of suggested frequencies, modes, points scoring, rules, certificates, procedures and news, please visit NasaOnTheAir.wordpress.com
    each day.

    Be sure to watch for posts on Twitter.com/NASARadioClubs (a Twitter account
    is NOT required to view) for late breaking news updates -- and don't forget your favorite spotting network -- for NOTA activity live and in real time.

    For QSL card information, please check the QRZ.com page for each individual NASA club callsign.

    [ANS thanks Pat Kilroy, N8PK, NASA Engineer and AMSAT Ambassador for the
    above information]

    ++++++++++
    +++++++
    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/

    ++++++++++
    +++++++
    VUCC Upgrades/Endorsements for April 1, 2022

    March 01, 2022 to March 31, 2022. ------------------------------------------------------------
    PS8ET 600 726
    K9UO 695 700
    WD9EWK (DM43) 675 679
    AC9O 549 675
    N5BO 635 650
    K0JM 500 601
    KE8FZT 550 576
    KS1G 525 551
    WB7VUF 455 510
    KN2K 450 505
    DF2ET 400 500
    EA2AA 425 483
    N6UTC 450 475
    AE5B 450 459
    HP2VX 425 453
    XE1MYO 200 349
    K4RGK 278 313
    VE3KY 278 304
    XE1GK 265 300
    DG7RO 172 285
    N3CAL 224 235
    N5EKO 207 234
    AC9DX 141 228
    WD9EWK (DM41) 187 207
    A65BR 157 181
    WB9YIG New 175
    DL8GAM New 152
    PS7JN New 152
    OE7BJT 107 150
    N2ZN 135 147
    TG9AMD New 141
    XE2YWH (DL82) 110 113
    PP2RON 106 108
    XE2YWH (DL82 - D 105 108
    VE7PTN New 104
    US6IKN New 102
    AG7NR New 101
    DH0GSU New 100
    K4NHW New 100
    PU5DDC New 100
    XE1YDK New 100

    Congratulations to the new VUCC holders.

    TG9AMD is first Guatemala and grid EK44
    PU5DDC is first grid GG53
    PS7JN is first grid HI24
    DL8GAM is first grid JO42
    US6IKN is first Ukraine and grid KN59

    [ANS thanks Jon Goering, N7AZ, for the above information]

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

    New GridMasters

    AMSAT’s most prestigious award is the GridMaster Award. This award
    was
    first introduced by Star Comm Group in 2014. AMSAT thanks Damon Runion,
    WA4HFN, and Rick Tillman, WA4NVM, for not only sponsoring this award since
    its inception, but, also, entrusting AMSAT with the honor of carrying on
    this important award for the benefit of the entire AMSAT community.

    The GridMaster award is available to all amateurs worldwide who submit
    proof with written confirmation of contacts with each of the 488 maidenhead grids located within the contiguous United States of America via amateur satellite.

    Thanks to a couple of March roves, four new amateur satellite operators
    have joined the GridMaster club, bringing the total number of hams who have worked and confirmed all 488 maidenhead grids within the contiguous United States to 38.

    Congratulations to the newest GridMasters!

    35 Patrick Stoddard WD9EWK March 15, 2022
    36 Dennis Love N7EGY March 26, 2022
    37 Chris Wilford VE7CEW March 26, 2022
    38 Merle Olmsted AA4QE March 28, 2022

    See the full list at https://www.amsat.org/gridmaster/

    [ANS thanks Bruce Paige, KK5DO, AMSAT Director of Contests and Awards for
    the above information]

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

    ARISS News

    Leonardo-Da-Vinci Campus Nauen, Nauen, Germany, direct via DC1RSN

    The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be DPØISS
    The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
    The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
    The scheduled crewmember is Matthias Maurer KI5KFH

    Contact is go for: Wed 2022-04-06 11:48:08 UTC 26 deg
    Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v3nn3CYKoM (***)

    Space Hardware Club, Huntsville, Alabama, direct via K4UAH

    The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS
    The downlink frequency is presently scheduled to be 145.800 MHz
    The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html
    The scheduled crewmember is Thomas Marshburn KE5HOC

    Contact is go for: Thu 2022-04-07 17:07:39 UTC 36 deg

    Exp. 64 back on earth (***)

    Pyotr Dubrov
    Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP

    Exp. 65 back on earth

    Anton Shkaplerov

    Congratulations to all for a job well done

    The USOS ARISS station is currently operating in voice cross-band repeater
    mode

    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]

    ++++++++++
    +++++++
    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/

    ++++++++++
    +++++++
    Upcoming Satellite Operations

    KX9X and N9NCY:

    April 8-10: EM57 + EM66 (IL/TN): EM57 will only be on April 8 and April 10 while en route to EM66; EM66 will be April 9. Linear and FM, holiday style. Passes to be determined based on travel schedule. Log/Upload as KX9X/R and N9NCY/R.

    Follow them at @SeanKutzko and @Nancy_N9NCY on Twitter for real-time info
    on what passes they will be on.

    WL7T: 4/3, DN57/58 and DN67/68

    WL7T: 4/30, DM02 Check Twitter for passes.

    K4DCA: EM96 4/6 – 4/9. Will be in EM96 on April 6-9 with FM and Lin
    ear
    gear. Vacation style. Also the possibility of hitting FM08 and FM09 on the
    way to/from.

    W3IPA: DM42 vacation planned for Jul 30- Aug 6th will be on FM passes
    vacation style. I will be close to DM41 so might be able to work a
    gridline. Will post more updates closer to that week!

    [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT rover page manager, for the above information]

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

    Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

    AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

    N4HF will be at the following event:

    Raleigh NC Hamfest (info table and demos; possible forum, but not likely at this point)
    April 16
    Jim Graham Building – NC State Fairgrounds
    4285 Trinity Rd, Raleigh, NC 27607
    https://www.rarsfest.org/

    Other events with a scheduled AMSAT presence:

    + CubeSat Developers Workshop
    April 26–28, 2022
    San Luis Obispo, CA

    + Hamvention 2022
    May 20, 2022 to May 22, 2022
    Greene County Fairgrounds and Expo Center
    210 Fairground Road
    Xenia, Ohio 45385
    https://www.hamvention.org

    + 2022 Rocky Mountain ARRL Division Convention
    October 7, 2022 – October 9, 2022
    Event Center at Archer
    3921 Archer Pkwy
    Cheyenne, Wyoming 82007
    https://wyhamcon.org/site

    [ANS thanks Paul Overn, KE0PBR, AMSAT Events page manager, 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

    ++++++++++
    +++++++
    Satellite Shorts From All Over

    + JAMSAT has posted the April FO-99 Operating Schedule at https://www.jamsat.or.jp/?p06

    + An initial distance record has been claimed via the MO-112 digipeater:
    EA4SG in IN80cp worked DG9MA in JN58di, a distance of 1,406 km on
    22-Mar-2022 at 21:01 UTC. Who can do better? https://www.amsat.org/satellite-distance-records/

    + A new modern distance record has been claimed via AO-7 Mode A. VE6WQ in
    DO33 worked F4DXV in JN04 on 23-Mar-2022 - a distance of 7,454 km. Note
    that AO-7 Mode A supported some very long distance QSOs during it's early
    life in the 1970s. If anyone has any information about extreme distance
    QSOs on AO-7 Mode A, please contact n8hm at amsat.org.

    + The AMSAT CubeSatSim PCB sets are finally back in stock at the AMSAT
    Store. Get yours today at
    https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-cubesatsim-pcb/

    + New v1.2 software release for the AMSAT CubeSatSim project! This release fixes an issue with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W that can cause an auto
    shutdown if battery isn’t fully charged. No change for other hardwa
    re.
    https://github.com/alanbjohnston/CubeSatSim/releases/tag/v1.2

    + Remember to get your tickets for the AMSAT/TAPR Banquet at the Dayton Hamvention! The 13th annual AMSAT/TAPR Banquet will be held at the Kohler Presidential Banquet Center on Friday, May 20th at 18:30 EDT. This dinner
    is always a highlight of the AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.) and TAPR (Tucson Amateur Packet Radio) activities during the Dayton Hamvention. This year’s banquet will honor the life and accomplishments of long time
    amateur
    satellite and amateur packet pioneer Bob Bruninga, WB4APR, who passed away
    in February. https://www.amsat.org/product/amsat-tapr-joint-hamvention-banquet-registrat ion/

    + A MAI-75 SSTV Event is scheduled for April 7th and 8th. Details at https://issfanclub.eu/2022/04/01/mai-75-sstv-event-7-and-8-april-2022/

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

    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 week's ANS Editor,

    Paul Stoetzer, N8HM
    n8hm at amsat dot org

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