AMSAT NEWS SERVICE<br />ANS-359<br /><br />ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North<br />America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the<br />activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an<br />active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating<br />through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.<br /><br />Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:<br /><br />ans-editor@amsat.org<br /><br />In this edition:<br />* AO-51 Digipeater function enabled<br />* OSCAR SKN Next Weekend<br />* New Object Identified Near SSETI<br />* AMSAT Kid's Day on AO-51<br />* P3E to Fly Software Defined Transponder <br />* Eagle Fundraising Appeal<br />* ARISS Status - 19 December 2005<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.01<br />AO-51 Digipeater function enabled<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.01<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.01<br /><br />The Digipeater function on AO-51 has been turned on for a "Trial Test<br />Session". The test may be paused at any time. Please keep your digi<br />packets down to a reasonable level as this is a shared resource. Only<br />one uplink is in use, so the PBBS users and digi users are going to be<br />on the same uplink frequency. This is a shared uplink and downlink with<br />the PBBS, so do not overload it with continuous, or high duty rate,<br />beacons or broadcasts. <br /><br />This is not the 10 watt plus transmitter that is on the ISS. It will<br />take a higher gain receiving station to hear the 9k6 signal of AO-51.<br />You will not need a strong signal for the uplink though, as AO-51 hears<br />very well. Note that the uplink and downlink are both at 9600 baud. <br /><br />Downlink: 435.300 FM 9600 baud<br />Uplink: 145.860 FM 9600 baud<br />Digi Callsign: PACB-1<br /><br />If you are using TlmEcho there is a bug in the program regarding the<br />Digipeat Status display. That has been fixed in the new version, and a<br />number of new features added as well. A new version of TlmEcho is<br />expected to be released soon.<br /><br />For the time being, if you monitor the 9k6 downlink you can use the<br />LSTAT status message to verify that the digipeater is turned on. If the<br />message contains "d:1", then the digi function is enabled. If it<br />contains "d:0" the digi is turned off.<br /><br />Mike, KE4AZN, added, "I want to personally thank Jeff, KB2M, and Gould,<br />WA4SXM, for their help in testing the digipeat function."<br /><br />[ANS thanks Mike, KE4AZN for the above information]<br /><br />/EX<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.02<br />OSCAR SKN Next Weekend<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.02<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.02<br /><br />Once again, AMSAT-NA is pleased to sponsor Straight Key Night on OSCAR<br />for enjoyment by all radio amateurs.<br /><br />OSCAR SKN 2006 will run for 24 hours, 0000-2400 UTC, on 1 January 2006.<br />It's very simple: no rules, no scoring, and no need to send in a log.<br />Just operate CW through any OSCAR satellite using a straight hand key,<br />working as many other SKN participants as you can. Contacts via the moon<br />(OSCAR Zero) count too.<br /><br />As in past years, all participants are requested to nominate one of the<br />operators they worked for "Best Fist" recognition. Your nominee need not<br />have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked.<br /><br />Please send all nominations to Ray Soifer via w2rs@arrl.net.<br /><br />A list of those nominated will be published via the AMSAT News Service<br />in early February, and in The AMSAT Journal.<br /><br />[ANS thanks Ray, W2RS for the above information]<br /><br />/EX<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.03<br />New Object Identified Near SSETI<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.03<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.03<br /><br />Taft DeVere from Headquarters Airforce Space Command, (HQ AFSPC) reports<br />that the Air Force has discovered a new object that is quite close to<br />the SSETI payload. This new object has been cataloged as 28897. They<br />believe that this object was ejected on 15 Dec 2005 at about 1640Z.<br />Additional tracking data indicates that it is slowly moving away from<br />SSETI. This leads to the conclusion that the object is not a<br />lightweight piece of foil or Mylar type material, since these decay more<br />quickly. It seems that this is likely an object with some mass, and<br />radars report it is quite small.<br /><br />Below is the two-line element set for the new object.<br /><br />1 28897U 05043H 05356.70226803 .00000182 00000-0 48118-4 0 58<br />2 28897 098.1779 252.6230 0017791 005.4499 354.6921 14.59489332 382<br /><br />The initial speculation is that this new object could be NCube-2<br />satellite although no postive reception reports have been received yet.<br /><br />NCube-2's downlink is as follows: <br /><br />Downlink: 437,305MHz<br />Bitrate: 9600b/s<br />Modulation technique: GMSK<br /><br />The message:<br />"DE=LA1CUB=NCUBE2=FF=LA1CUB===" is morsed using a 2400Hz tone, 26 words<br />per minute" where FF is a hex number [00=3,0V - FF=4,5V]<br /><br />If battery voltage is above 3,8V, every 2 minutes<br />If battery voltage is below 3,8, every 5 minutes<br /><br />In the end of the message an unnumbered AX.25 packet is attached<br />containing <br />the string:<br />DE=LA1CUB=NCUBE2=NORWEGIAN CUBESAT -
WWW.NCUBE.NO<br /><br />In the header of the AX.25: Callsign: NCUBE Destination: EARTH<br /><br />The satellite will transmit at a power of 1.5W at full battery charge<br /><br />Reception reports will be welcome email to ncube@rocketrange.no and to <br />missioncontrol@sseti.org<br /><br />[ANS thanks Taft DeVere HQ AFSPC and Graham, G3VZV for the above<br />information]<br /><br />/EX <br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.04<br />AMSAT Kid's Day on AO-51<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.04<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.04<br /><br />AMSAT-NA, the AO-51 Command Team, and the AO-51 Operations Team will<br />sponsor Kid's Day on AO-51 on January 8, 2006. The event will run from<br />approximately 0100 utc 8 January until 0345 utc 9 January. The event is<br />open to all kids, worldwide. We ask all amateur radio stations to give<br />this short time window to promote satellite operations with kids, by<br />actually showing a kid how to make contacts via AO-51, providing a<br />station to contact, or stepping aside to allow others to make contacts<br />with the kids.<br /><br />During the event, please limit contacts to stations that are operating<br />with kids at the microphone. This should allow the kids to have a nice<br />QSO and pass some information. Kids can tell their name, age, who is<br />helping them operate on AO-51, where they live, and other information<br />about themselves.<br /><br />AO-51 will be configured in the following mode during the event. Please<br />note the change in the uplink frequency for the event. The PL tone will<br />be turned off for the event.<br /><br />Uplink: 145.880 mhz FM voice<br />Downlink: 435.300 mhz FM voice<br /><br />The digital transponder on 435.150 will be turned off during the event.<br /><br />See
http://www.arrl.org/FandES/ead/kd-rules.html on the ARRL website for<br />more Kids Day information.<br /><br />Have fun and enjoy AO-51!<br /><br />73 KE4AZN<br />Amsat VP-Operations<br />Echo Command Station<br /><br />[ANS thanks Mike KE4AZN for the above information]<br /><br />/EX<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.05<br />P3E to Fly Software Defined Transponder<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.05<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.05<br /><br />AMSAT-DL's Board of Directors has made the decision to fly the Software<br />Defined Transponder (SDX) on their Phase 3-Express (P3E) spacecraft. SDX<br />features AMSAT-NA's implementation of the Software Defined Radio based<br />on the Quadrature Sampling Detector. This decision was made at a recent<br />BOD meeting in Marburg, Germany. SDX will utilize space that was<br />originally planned for the Rudak Modem Module (RMU). SDX will allow<br />Karl Meinzer's (DJ4ZC) HELAPS (High Efficiency Linear Amplification by<br />Parametric Synthesis) ideas from his doctoral thesis to be fully<br />implemented for the first time. With the use of the SDX processor,<br />significantly improved linearity and efficiency in the U/V transponder<br />can be achieved compared to the all analog implementations of HELAPS in<br />previous Phase 3 satellites. <br /><br />Placement of SDX on P3E opens an opportunity to provide an early<br />demonstration of SDX's potential in space, including placement in an<br />orbit that will provide flight time through the radiation belts. This<br />"Phase 1 test" of SDX will in turn provide flight proof of concept that<br />will benefit the later placement of SDX on AMSAT-NA's Eagle-class<br />spacecrafts. It also provides a test platform for evaluation of SDX's<br />weak signal processing that could prove valuable for an eventual Phase<br />5-A deep space mission that AMSAT-DL is evaluating. Along with improved<br />receiver performance, SDX offers the ability to program configuration<br />changes while in orbit and the integration of uplink and downlink bands<br />via digital connections.<br /><br />Howard Long, G6LVB of AMSAT-UK, will lead the development of SDX<br />software for both P3E and Eagle. AMSAT-NA's Bob McGwier, N4HY and Frank<br />Brickle, AB2KT, will conduct the integration of SDX with P3-E's HELAPS<br />transmitters. AMSAT-NA's Lyle Johnson KK7P, and Chuck Green, N0ADI,<br />who have served on a number of AMSAT satellite projects, will build the<br />flight hardware. <br /><br />AMSAT-DL President Peter Guelzow, DB2OS informed Bob McGwier, N4HY<br />AMSAT-NA's VP-Engineering of the Board's decision on November 28. "This<br />is outstanding news" notes Rick Hambly, W2GPS President of AMSAT-NA.<br />"The opportunity to fly SDX on P3-Express will provide an early<br />opportunity to demonstrate the potential of SDX in orbit and gives<br />AMSAT-NA the benefit of in-orbit testing before placement on the<br />Eagle-class satellites."<br /><br />At a December meeting in Marburg, Howard, G6LVB demonstrated the<br />functional SDX software on the target DSP processor along with a fully<br />functional STELLA (Satellite Transponder with Equalizing Level Limiting<br />Adapter). STELLA is designed to handle the situation where a User<br />transmits too much power to the satellite adversely impacting the<br />overall transponder AGC levels and thus reducing the output levels of<br />other users on the transponder. STELLA has the ability to dynamically<br />notch an excessive input signal to bring it into compliance with an<br />appropriate output level versus the beacon on that band. Hambly added,<br />"This announcement and the follow on work reinforces the close<br />cooperation between AMSAT-NA, AMSAT-DL and AMSAT-UK as we develop the<br />next generation of high earth orbit amateur radio satellites."<br /><br />[ANS thanks Peter, DB2OS and Barry, WD4ASW for the above information]<br /><br />/EX<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.06<br />Eagle Fundraising Appeal<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.06<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.06<br /><br />Have YOU Responded to the Eagle Appeal?<br /><br />AMSAT-NA members should have received by now an Eagle Appeal Letter from<br />AMSAT-NA President Rick Hambly, W2GPS. The Appeal includes a letter<br />from Rick, a color brochure on Eagle, a donation form, and <br />return envelope. This is the first fundraising effort for Eagle as it<br />is expected to take four years to build and launch the first satellite<br />and three additional years for the second. AMSAT must raise at least<br />$150,000 in 2006 to keep the project on track.<br /><br />Initial response to the Appeal has been good. SpaceQuest, Ltd. of<br />Fairfax, VA made our first corporate donation to Eagle this past week.<br />Many thanks to Mark Kanawati, N4TPY and Dino Lorenzini, KC4YMG <br />for the strong support! AMSAT members will recall that AO-51 was built<br />by SpaceQuest under AMSAT-NA contract and was launched in June 2004. In<br />addition, 12 individuals have qualified for President's <br />Club status this week as a result of their generosity in response to the<br />Appeal.<br /><br />AMSAT-NA members who pay US income tax may take a tax deduction from<br />their donation to AMSAT, which is recognized by the Internal Revenue<br />Service as a 501-(c)(3) scientific organization. To qualify as a <br />2005 tax deduction, the donation must be post marked in 2005 or<br />submitted in 2005. Donations made after January 1, 2006 may be applied<br />against 2006 taxes. AMSAT will gladly accept donations via the AMSAT<br />website using your credit card, the mailing of checks, and PayPal<br />submissions. The AMSAT office will be closed until January 4, 2006, so<br />making donations via telephone will not be possible until after the<br />first of the year. In addition, individuals who may wish to donate<br />securities can do so as well and avoid capital gains on the securities<br />that are donated. Contact AMSAT Treasurer Gunther Meisse, W8GSM for<br />details on how to arrange a transfer to AMSAT. Due to passage of the<br />Katrina Emergency Relief Act of 2005 (KETRA) by Congress, there are<br />additional advantages in giving charitable gifts by December 31, 2005 to<br />qualified organizations, such as AMSAT. Talk to your financial advisor<br />about how KETRA can provide current income and estate tax advantages.<br /><br />Your donation and personal support of Eagle is critical. If you haven't<br />made your contribution, please consider making a donation.<br /><br />Help AMSAT to hatch Eagle!<br /><br />[ANS thanks Barry, WD4ASW for the above information]<br /><br />/EX<br /><br /><br />SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-359.07<br />ARISS Status - 19 December 2005<br /><br />AMSAT News Service Bulletin 359.07<br /> From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.<br />December 25, 2005<br />To All RADIO AMATEURS<br />BID: $ANS-359.07<br /><br />1. California Contact Successful<br /><br />On Thursday, December 15, five students from Mt. Carmel High School in<br />San Diego, California spoke to Bill McArthur, KC5ACR. Bill answered<br />seventeen of their questions as an audience of approximately 35<br />students, teachers, and others gathered for the event. The radio<br />equipment used for this contact will remain as the school amateur radio<br />station. The contact audio was webcast by MSNBC, and was available on<br />the IRLP and Echolink nodes. Twenty-two Echolink connections were made<br />from the following countries: France, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Russia,<br />Sweden, Thailand, the U.K., and the U.S.A.<br /><br />Among the media covering the event were the North County Times, Union<br />Tribune, and Corridor News. Links to two of the stories follow:<br /><br />"Mt. Carmel High students make contact with the beyond."<br />
http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2005/12/16/news/inland/21_11_4412_15_05.txt<br /><br /><br />2. 25th Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree<br /><br />The 25th Asia-Pacific Scout Jamboree has been approved for Saturday, 31<br />December 2005 at 0912 UTC. The jamboree is held once every four years<br />with scouts, ages 12-18 and will be held this year from December 28 to<br />January 3 in Sattahip, Chonburi Province in Thailand. The hosting<br />committee expects a turnout of 25,000 participants from the around the<br />world, but especially from the 23 member countries in Asia-Pacific.<br /><br /><br />3. Article on Canadian School Contact<br /><br />Ralph McCall School in Airdrie, Alberta, Canada experienced a successful<br />contact with the ISS on Friday, 02 December 2005. An article has been<br />posted to Alberta's Wild Rose Chapter 151 website, which contains photos<br />of the event. See:
http://www.qsl.net/ve6afo/iss_contact2005.html<br /><br /><br />4. Story Covers Sanderson High School Contact<br /><br />Sanderson High School students spoke with Bill McArthur via amateur<br />radio on December 8. A write up on the contact can be found on the Big<br />Bend Amateur Radio Club website. It includes the audio and photos of the<br />event. See:<br />
http://www.bigbendarc.com/photos-history/photos/iss/iss_index.html<br /><br /><br />5. McArthur Continues Voice Contacts<br /><br />Over the 17-18 December weekend, Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, made contacts<br />with stations in the U.S., Mexico, the Caribbean, Thailand, Japan,<br />Italy, and Portugal. He has already made over 200 general contacts.<br />ARRL covered his activity on the ISS ham radio station in the article,<br />"ISS 12 Commander Shooting for WAC, WAS and Maybe DXCC from Space." See:<br />
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2005/12/15/1/?nc=1<br /><br /><br />6. Russian Special Event Planned<br /><br />Russian delegate, Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, reports that a special event<br />is being planned for December 25 to commemorate the first anniversary of<br />the death of cosmonaut Gennady Strekalov, U6MIR. Amateur radio operators<br />are invited to participate. It is expected that Korolev and Star City<br />stations will operate shortwave and UHF. Two contacts with the ISS are<br />planned for December 25 and December 26 at 20:00 UTC. On December 26-27<br />the ISS Ham radio will be placed in repeater mode, and cosmonauts at<br />Energia and Star City may also participate in the activities. Two<br />thousand anniversary QSL cards with Strekalov's portrait have been<br />printed for the event. <br /><br /><br />7. Educational Outreach/School Selection Committee Meeting Held<br /><br />The ARISS Educational Outreach/School Selection Committee meeting was<br />held on Thursday, 08 December 2005. Items of discussion included current<br />school contacts, and NEEIS evaluations. The next meeting is planned for<br />09 February 2006. The minutes have been posted to the ARISS website.<br />See:
http://www.rac.ca/ariss/arissschm.htm <br /><br />[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]<br /><br />/EX
