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CX2SA > SAT 12.04.20 01:45l 357 Lines 14923 Bytes #999 (0) @ AMSAT
BID : ANS-103.01
Read: GUEST
Subj: ANS-103 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
Path: ON0AR<OZ5BBS<CX2SA
Sent: 200412/0140Z @:CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM #:28624 [Salto] FBB7.00e $:ANS-103.01
From: CX2SA@CX2SA.SAL.URY.SOAM
To : SAT@AMSAT
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 103.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
April 12, 2020
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-103.01
ARISS Responds to the COVID-19 Pandemic
In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the ARISS team is working=20
to transform its activities for the health and safety of our=20
students, host educational institutions and its team. It has=20
instituted an immediate response effort followed by a more strategic,=20
longer term initiative to protect all. ARISS leadership, working=20
with a physician on the team, is carefully reviewing all of its=20
procedures in light of the evolving COVID-19 recommendation. ARISS=20
will continue to monitor the local and global situations and will=20
modify its local and global planning as these situations change.=20
ARISS has two primary initiatives underway. One is to develop=20
=93virtual school=94 contacts to link each student in their home through =
its telebridge stations. The other is to plan SSTV (picture=20
downlink) sessions during which pictures from ISS can be received by=20
all in their homes.
For further information on the ARISS plan, see:=20
https://www.ariss.org/COVID-19.html
[ANS thanks Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, ARISS International Chair for the=20
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+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+
New TQSL Version Provides Better LoTW Rover Support
The latest version of TrustedQSL (TQSL), version 2.5.2, offers=20
improved Logbook of The World (LoTW) support for operations from=20
several locations, as well as the ability to detect uploads that=20
contain incorrect location data.=20
The primary new feature in TQSL 2.5.2 allows logging programs, in=20
conjunction with TQSL, to avoid incorrect contact uploads, while=20
adding mechanisms to allow easy uploading of logs for roving=20
stations. LoTW had required rovers to identify each location used=20
as a separate location in TQSL. The new version of TQSL allows these=20
operations to be handled much more smoothly by using information from=20
the station=92s logging program.
When a log is signed by TQSL, the station details =97 call Sign, DXCC=20
entity, grid square, and other location details provided by the=20
selected station location (and call sign certificate) =97 are compared=20
with the details in the log. If the US state and station location in=20
a log do not agree, TQSL 2.5.2 will reject the contact, detecting=20
errors in instances when an incorrect station location has been=20
chosen.=20
This feature will necessitate changes in many logging programs,=20
because it requires that the log provide station details previously=20
not used by TQSL. Once a logging program supplies these (MY_STATE,=20
MY_DXCC, MY_CQ_ZONE, etc.), then TQSL will validate them against the=20
log. Currently, Cabrillo logs use the CALLSIGN field to verify that=20
the contacts are for the correct call sign.
Optionally, a station performing roaming operations (e.g., from=20
multiple grid squares) can choose to have TQSL assume that the log is=20
correct. When call sign or home station are provided with the log,=20
TQSL will automatically update the details on the upload. Select=20
=93Override Station Location with QTH Details from your Log=94 on the=20
=93Log Handling=94 preference page to enable this feature.
This release also includes an update to the most recent TQSL=20
configuration file.
[ANS thanks the ARRL 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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=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+
AMSAT-EA Registering SanoSat-1 for AMSAT Nepal
The Union of Spanish Amateur Radio Operators' satellite group,=20
AMSAT-EA, is registering with IARU and the ITU the AMSAT Nepal=20
satellite SanoSat-1. This is being done due to the difficulty of=20
carrying out this procedure in the Asian country. This is a one-off=20
collaboration which will allow said satellite to fly under the=20
Spanish flag. It should be launched jointly with the AMSAT-EA=20
EASAT-2 and Hades satellites possibly with SpaceX later this year.
SanoSat-1 is a 5cm/side pocketQube 1P designed and developed=20
affordably for the hobbyist community by using readily available=20
commercial of-the-shelf components (COTS).
The SanoSat-1 satellite integrates a gamma radiation sensor as a=20
payload. Its main mission will be to measure space radiation while=20
orbiting, and periodically transmit its level to Earth using RTTY-FSK=20
modulation. All radio amateurs will be able to receive and decode=20
radiation measurement data.
The secondary mission of the SanoSat-1 satellite is also to=20
demonstrate the storage and forwarding concept which will be useful=20
in remote disaster-prone locations. The satellite will collect=20
data from ground sensors, store it on board and transmit it to=20
Earth's main station. The design and kit for the ground sensors will=20
be made available to the general public.
One of AMSAT Nepal's goals is to encourage more people to join the=20
group of radio amateurs by receiving data from SanoSat-1 which will=20
also transmit a CW beacon with its internal status.
Another activity scheduled to promote radio amateurs and satellite=20
technology to science and technology students around the world is the=20
organization of hands-on workshops on the construction of=20
pico-satellites and ground stations. There will be an opportunity to=20
build an affordable open source ground station (SatNOGS) and a=20
dedicated GFSK receiver ground station to receive the data. The=20
design of the satellite itself will be open source as well.=20
More information is available at:=20
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-SanoSat-1
[ANS thanks the Union of Spanish Amateur Radio Operators for the=20
above information.]
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=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+=3D+
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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ESA and LibreSpace Report: SDR's for Small Satellites
The European Space Agency Libre Space Foundation has published a=20
paper comparing many common software defined radios (SDR's). The=20
devices they examined are:
- RTS-SDR v3
- Airspy Mini
- SDRPlay RSPduo
- LimeSDR Mini
- BladeRF 2.0 Micro
- Ettus USRP B210
- Pluto SDR
The report looked at several bands of interest, but not the HF bands=20
=97 not surprising considering that some of the devices can=92t even=20
operate on HF. They did examine VHF, UHF, L band, S band, and C band=20
performance. Some of the SDR's have transmit capabilities, and for=20
those devices, they tested the transmit function as well as receive.
The review isn=92t just subjective. It calculates noise figures and=20
dynamic range, along with other technical parameters. It also=20
includes GNURadio flowgraphs for their test setups, which would be a=20
place to start if one wanted to do these kinds of measurements=20
oneself.
Towards the end of the 134 page report is an assessment of SDR=20
software and how the boards are supported. There was no clear winner=20
or loser although the report did mention how SDRPlay=92s closed source=20
limited software support in some applications.
Read the complete report at:
https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-SDR-Report
[ANS thanks Hackaday for the above information.]
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Brazil Holds 430 and 1240 MHz Hearing
A public hearing is being held in Brazil concerning both the 430 MHz=20
and the 1240 MHz Amateur Radio bands.
On March 23, 2020 the National Telecommunications Agency, ANATEL,=20
published a Public Consultation proposal number 14/2020 on technical=20
and operational requirements for the use of the frequency bands from=20
430 MHz to 440 MHz and from 1240 MHz to 1300 MHz by stations of the=20
Private Limited Service (SLP) for radiolocation applications.
The national amateur radio society LABRE says =93The Radio Amateur=20
community is concerned about the possible occurrence of interference,=20
especially in the 70 cm band.=94
Read the translated LABRE post at: https://tinyurl.com/BrazilLABRE.
[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK for the above information.]
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Upcoming Satellite Operations
- From the Mountains to the Bay(CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,
10,11,20,21) April 12-21, 2020
RJ, WY7AA, is hitting the asphalt again, roving from Wyoming to=20
Vacaville, CA. He=92s attending a class from April 15-19, so most of=20
the roving will be outside of this time. Grids to be covered include:=20
CM88,89,98,99 DM09,19,29 DN00,01,02,10,11,20,21. Specific pass=20
details will be posted on WY7AA QRZ page and Twitter=20
(https://twitter.com/WY7AA) as the trip approaches.
[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL 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 is very aware of the impact that COVID-19 is having on schools=20
and the public in general. As such, we may have last minute=20
cancellations or postponements of school contacts. As always, ARISS=20
will try to provide everyone with near-real-time updates.
The following schools have now been postponed or canceled due to=20
COVID-19:
Postponed:
- SPDW Voortrekker Movement, Oranjeville, South Africa, direct via
ZS9SPD
- RO-SAT One, Piatra-Neam?, Romania, direct via YR=D8ISS
- McConnell Middle School, Loganville, GA, prefer direct via KD4TGR
- Monroe Carrell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN,
direct via N4FR
- Oakwood School, Morgan Hill, CA, direct via AE6XM
- Ramona Lutheran School, Ramona, CA, direct via N6ROR
Canceled:
- Electromagnetic Field, Ledbury, United Kingdom, direct via GB4EMF
[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, for the above information]
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Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
Due to COVID-19, many hamfests and events around the United States=20
have been cancelled or postponed. While we make every effort to=20
ensure the information contained below is correct, there may be some=20
that we missed. =20
Current schedule:
- May 2, 2020 Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI
- June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Con, Plano, TX
The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been
CANCELED:
- April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest,=20
Brainerd, MN
- May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest,=20
Sierra Vista, AZ
- May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ
- May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH
[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]
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Shorts from All Over
+ Fresh ISS Crew Arrives
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and two Russian cosmonauts=20
arrived Thursday for their mission aboard the International Space=20
Station, temporarily restoring the orbiting laboratory?s population=20
to six people. The Soyuz MS-16 spacecraft carrying Cassidy, along=20
with Anatoly Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner of the Russian space agency=20
Roscosmos, docked to the station's Poisk service module at 10:13 A.M.=20
after a four-orbit, six-hour flight. Their Soyuz spacecraft launched=20
at 4:05 A.M. EDT (0805Z, or 1:05 P.M. Kazakhstan time) from the=20
Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.=20
=20
[ANS thanks NASA for the above information.]
+ Rocket Lab Rocket Recovery Test Video
Before New Zealand went into COVID-19 lockdown, the folks at Rocket=20
Lab did a test to recover a first stage Electron rocket. You can see=20
the video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DN3CWGDhkmbs
[ANS thanks Terry Osborne ZL2BAC for the above information.]
+ Preparing for the Ultimate DXpedition? Read the Manual First!
For those of you who have been dreaming about operating from the moon=20
or Mars, you can begin your preparations by reading SpaceX's Starship=20
User Guide Version 1.0. No, it's not a detailed flight manual but=20
it will help you plan your provisions. It's light reading and can be=20
seen at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-103-Starship
[ANS thanks JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM for the above information.]
+ First Transatlantic Contact on 70 Centimeters Reported
History appears to have been made on April 7, when AMSAT member=20
Burt Demarcq, FG8OJ and an operator at=20
D4VHF in Cape Verde off the African Coast and , on=20
Guadeloupe in the Caribbean completed a contact on 70 centimeters=20
using FT8 =97 a distance of 3,867 kilometers (2,398 miles). This would=20
mark the first transatlantic contact on that band that did not=20
involve satellites or moonbounce. The most likely mode of propagation=20
was marine ducting, with the signal being trapped close to the ocean=20
surface.
One day earlier, 9Y4D in Trinidad copied D4VHF over a distance of=20
4,006 kilometers (2,484 miles), but no contact was made. D4VHF is the=20
VHF-UHF contest call sign of the Monteverde Contest Team (D4C).
Perhaps not coincidentally, FG8OJ was the first to span the Atlantic=20
on 2 meters over the same path, when he worked D41CV in Cape Verde on=20
June 16, 2019.
[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]
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