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Skriven 2006-12-11 22:26:00 av Holger Granholm (2:20/228)
Ärende: Amsat bulletin 344
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AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-344
ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.
Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor@amsat.org
In this edition:
* RAFT, ANDE, MARSCom, and GeneSat-1 Satellites Going Up This Week
* Last Chance for Federal CFC Contributions to AMSAT This Week
* Send Your Name and Callsign to the Moon
* Please Make Your Updates to the AMSAT Volunteer Reporting System
* AMSAT-UK Initiates Push for Region 1 Microwave Satellite Allocation
* Unique Donation Opportunity Through The Pension Protection Act
* Satellite News From All Over
* ARISS Status Report for the Week of December 4, 2006
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.01
RAFT, ANDE, MARSCom, and GeneSat-1 Satellites Going Up This Week
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.01
Space Shuttle Discovery was successfully launched on Saturday
carrying to orbit three new satellites, RAFT-1, MARSCOM and ANDE
designed, built, and tested by the Midshipmen of the US Naval
Academy's Satellite Laboratory in Annapolis, Maryland.
The RAFT-1 and ANDE satellite downlinks will be 145.825 MHz. The
frequencies used by MARSCOM are on Navy-Marine Corps MARS frequen-
cies.
For full technical details please refer to:
http://www.ew.usna.edu/%7Ebruninga/ande-raft-ops.html
Another feature of the RAFT mission will allow amateur radio operators
to listen to the signal as the satellite crosses the National Space
Surveillance Network satellite radar tracking system. RAFT has a
216.98 MHz direct conversion receiver down to 145.825 MHz so you will
hear the radar ping on RAFT's downlink. It will be a tone proportional
to the Doppler as it flies through the radar fence, lasting about one
second.
GeneSat-1, a secondary payload aboard the Minotaur Launch Vehicle, will
launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA Wallops
Flight Facility on December 11, 2006, about 7:00am EST. The Minotaur
launch window is 3 hours, 1200z-1500z. GeneSat-1 is a 10 x 10 x 30 cm.
spacecraft, which will conduct a cellular biology technology
demonstration.
Of particular interest to the amateur radio satellite community, is the
GeneSat-1 beacon. Operating at 437.075 MHz FM, the beacon sends an
AX.25 packet every 5 seconds; the packet contains data about the
spacecraft systems operation. Full details are available on the mission
website
at http://www.genesat1.org.
[ANS thanks the US Naval Academy and GeneSat teams for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.02
Last Chance for Federal CFC Contributions to AMSAT This Week
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.02
Attention Federal Employees - This is your final week to support AMSAT
through your pledge in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Gunther
Meisse,
W8GSM, and AMSAT treasurer has announced that any Federal
employee can make a contribution to the Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation when they complete their pledge for 2006. AMSAT is listed as
Agency Number CFC 2944.
Your contribution directly supports AMSAT's educational outreach and
satellite construction projects including work on AMSAT-Eagle. Pledges
may be made by Federal civilian, postal and military donors during the
campaign season.
The campaign runs from September 1st to December 15th, 2006.
To learn more about CFC visit the CFC website at:
http://www.opm.gov/cfc/
[ANS thanks Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, AMSAT Treasurer for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.03
Send Your Name and Callsign to the Moon
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.03
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch
the SELENE lunar orbiter by an H-IIA Launch Vehicle in the summer of
2007.
The major objective of the SELENE mission is to acquire scientific
data to answer key questions on the Moon's origin and evolution. It is
the first fully-fledged lunar exploration project since the Apollo
program.
JAXA is collecting names and will have them etched on a sheet which is
attached to the spacecraft. This is a worldwide campaign sponsored by
JAXA in cooperation with The Planetary Society of Japan and The
Planetary
Society of the U.S.A.
Please send your name and message within the following letter limits
before January 31, 2007:
In Japanese: Name should be within 10 characters, and the message
should be within 20 characters.
In English: Name should be within 10 letters, and the message
should be within 40 letters.
More information is availabe in English at:
http://www.jaxa.jp/pr/event/selene/index_e.html
[ANS thanks JAXA for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.04
Please Make Your Updates to the AMSAT Volunteer Reporting System
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.04
Attention AMSAT Volunteers:
It is that time of the year again.
We need to be sure as many volunteer hours as possible have been
reported to the VRS (Volunteer Reporting System) on the AMSAT web
site. Over the last few years thousands of dollars of volunteer time
have been reported and we are sure this year will be our largest
given all the work that has done on Eagle.
If you are already registered on the VRS site please take a few
minutes and report these 2006 hours. If you have not reported before,
please visit amsat.org, register, and help us keep track of this
important aspect of the AMSAT mission. We'll keep the year open until
the middle of January but hope you will take the time within the next
couple weeks to update your report. You may combine your efforts for
the entire year into one filing if that would make the process more
convenient.
[ANS thanks Gunther Meisse, W8GSM, AMSAT Treasurer for the above
information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.05
AMSAT-UK Initiates Push for Region 1 Microwave Satellite Allocation
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.05
Graham, G3VZV announced last week that AMSAT-UK is working with RSGB on
a
proposal paper to seek to establish access to the 3400-3410 MHz band
for
the Amateur Satellite Service in IARU Region 1. This meeting is
scheduled for February, 2007.
At present only Regions 2 and 3 have such an ITU allocation and here in
Region 1, even terrestrial activity is only by footnote to the Radio
Regulations or by national rule making.
We have a list of Region 1 countries that do have such terrestrial
access -
see http://www.uk.amsat.org/images/3400region1.JPG
If anyone has any corrections or additions to the list please let Graham
know [callsign at amsat.org].
[ANS thanks Graham, G3VZV for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.06
Unique Donation Opportunity Through The Pension Protection Act
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.06
Recent legislation passed by Congress and signed by President Bush can
help AMSAT raise the funds needed to build Eagle. The law, called the
Pension Protection Act (PPA), includes a provision enabling AMSAT to
raise substantially more money than might have been previously possible.
However, time is short to take full advantage of this unique
opportunity.
Serious construction work must be funded this year to have Eagle ready
to orbit by the target of 2009.
Basically, here's the story on how the new law can help Eagle fly!
The PPA provides that U.S. taxpayers with IRAs who have reached the age
of 70-1/2, may contribute to qualified charities, part or all (up to
$100,000 per year or $200,000 for married couples filing jointly), of
the money they must annually withdraw from their IRAs.
Thus, many AMSAT members and other supporters of the amateur radio space
program have a marvelous opportunity to keep the Eagle project on track.
If you must withdraw a certain amount from your IRA each year, there is
a big advantage to making such withdrawals as direct contributions to
AMSAT rather than merely receiving the distributions and then
contributing in the usual manner. Under PPA, the amount you contribute
directly is NOT counted as income and thus may put you into a lower tax
bracket. It may also reduce the percentage of your Social Security
income subject to taxation.
Key provisions of the new legislation to keep in mind:
1. Donors must hold either a conventional or Roth IRA.
2. Donors must be at least 70-1/2 years of age.
3. Contributions must be made directly from the IRA to the charitable
organization not to a donor- advised fund, private foundation, gift
annuity or trust.
4. Donations may be made this year and next only, and must be made by
December 31, 2006 and December 31, 2007.
5. The maximum amount a contributor may donate each year is $100,000.
6. Direct contributions to qualified charities from IRAs, in accordance
with the PPA provisions, are NOT counted as taxable income.
If you are 70-1/2 or older and have an IRA, you are in a position to
take advantage of this potential windfall for the Eagle project. AMSAT
urges you to first check with your tax advisor for specifics regarding
your individual situation, then ask your IRA custodian to transfer to
AMSAT part or all of what you are required to withdraw. Be sure to have
this transfer completed before December 31st.
Let's all of us do our part to get Eagle into orbit.
* Have your IRA custodian call the AMSAT office to get information on
how to transfer your contribution. The number 301-589-6062. Office hours
are 10 AM to 6 PM EST.
[ANS thanks BIll, W3XO, for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.07
Satellite News From All Over
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.07
* Heads up for European satellite operators! Paul, 2E1EUB says he will
be active from Scotland on the birds from December 10-14.
* Ed Long, WA4SWJ, Editor of The AMSAT Journal announced this week that
the Nov/Dec 06 issue of The AMSAT Journal was uploaded to the printer.
You should have it in you mailbox soon. Thanks to all the Journal
contributors.
* The HC8N (Galapagos Islands) contest group was active on the AO-51 and
SO-50 satellites prior to the CQ WW CW Contest. A total of 16 QSOs were
made via these satellites in 6 countries. Ramon, XE1KK - who had given
many operators their first satellite QSO with the Galapagos finally
worked
HC8N via SO-50. The HC8N 2006 satellite station consisted of a
FT-50R and
an "Arrow" antenna. Bruce, AA5B and Mark, N5OT assisted with
the satellite
activity. QSL via W5UE.
* Matthias, DD1US has a "Sounds from Space" webpage at
http://www.dd1us.de. He has collected recordings of space objects like
MIR, ISS and satellites presently in orbit which may be of help to
people identify transmissions
they might have received.
[ANS thanks everyone for the above information]
/EX
SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-344.08
ARISS Status Report for the Week of December 4, 2006
AMSAT News Service Bulletin 344.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
December 10, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-344.08
1. School Contacts to be Scheduled
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team
continues to work on scheduling school contacts for December.
2. ARRL Article on Henri Dâ€ÖHaese School Contact
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article on Mike Lopez-
Alegriaâ€Ös Amateur Radio contact with children attending the Henri
Dâ€ÖHaese Primary School in Belgium. See:
http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2006/11/28/102/?nc=1
3. Debrief Session with Space Visitor
On Tuesday, November 28, the ARISS team spoke with space participant
Anousheh Ansari to discuss her experience with Amateur Radio contacts
while onboard the ISS. She provided valuable feedback to the team.
4. Astronaut Participates in SKYWARN Recognition Day
The National Weather Service (NWS) and the American Radio Relay League
co-sponsored SKYWARN Recognition Day on Saturday, December 2 to thank
those hams who volunteer to act as storm spotters and who are trained
in emergency communications. The activity called for Amateur Radio
perators to exchange contact information, including a short weather
report for their location, with as many NWS stations as possible. Mike
Lopez-Alegria, KE5GTK, took part in the activities and was heard
speaking
to hams in Texas.
5. ARRL Story on ARISS Mentor
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran a story on Barry Cohen, K2JV.
Cohen mentored the Salt Brook Elementary School Amateur Radio on the
ISS
contact in New Providence, New Jersey, in June of this year and was
recently named “Amateur of the Year.†See:
http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6981
6. ARRL Article on Shuttle STS-116 Crew
The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran a story covering the upcoming
shuttle launch which will carry ham astronauts Sunita Williams, KD5PLB,
and Christer Fugelsang, KE5CGR/SA0AFS. Both plan to participate in
Amateur
Radio contacts during their missions. See:
http://www.arrl.org/?artid=6996
7. ARRL QST Articles
The December issue of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) QST ran an
article, "Civilian Space Traveler and Astronauts Pull Off ARISS Triple
Header". The story was about Jeff Williams, Thomas Reiter and Anousheh
Ansari and described their recent Amateur Radio on the International
Space
Station school contacts.
Another story, "Kids Day June 2007", summarized ARRL's on-the-air
operating
event for kids. Astronaut Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger,
KE5DAT, made the
comment, "As an astronaut, I enjoyed volunteering my
time to encourage kids
to study for their license so they can speak to
folks all around the world
and even on the International Space
Station!â€
[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]
/EX
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 additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.
73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org
_______________________________________________
Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA
http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans
_______________________________________________
73 de Sam, OH0NC
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þ MR/2 2.30 þ When you get there, there's no there there.
* Origin: Coming to you from the Sunny Aland Islands. (2:20/228)
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