Text 793, 393 rader
Skriven 2006-01-21 23:01:54 av Amsat List (1:323/120.0)
Ärende: 
========
AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-022

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

******************** AMSAT 2006 Space Symposium **************************

The AMSAT web team has posted informational pages on the AMSAT web site.
You can find the announcement with many links at:
http://www.amsat-org/amsat-new/symposium

Future announcements including the Call For Papers, Online Registration and
Online Hotel Registration will be available approximately 1 April 2006.

**************************************************************************

In this edition:

* Astronaut Bill McArthur Scores WAC on UHF and WAS on VHF
* AO-7 Enters Period of No Eclipse
* AO-7 Control Electronics Still Functioning After 30+ Years in Space
* Satellite DX is Still Happening
* New Photos From the XI-V Cubesat Available
* AMSAT Journal Articles Needed - Deadline Nears
* Get Ready For SuitSat
* NASA Prepares For February 3 Spacewalk
* OSCARLocator Photo Gallery Invites Contributions

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.01
Astronaut Bill McArthur Scores WAC on UHF and WAS on VHF

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.01

Last weekend, January 14-15 UTC,  Astronaut Bill McArthur aboard the
International Space Station operated on the UHF band exclusively.  A
report received from Keith, ZS6TW in South Africa indicates that Bill
has completed a sweep of Working All Continents on UHF.

Keith wrote on the ISS Fan Club site, http://www.issfanclub.com, "Bill
was active on UHF voice over RSA on the January 14, 20:00 UTC pass.
Bill contacted me followed by Greald, ZS6BTD in Johannesburg. He said
that our contacts had just completed his worked all continents. It was
a pleasure speaking to him again. 73's Keith, ZS6TW."

The UHF frequency NA1SS is 437.55 MHz simplex when this mode is active.

This is the first time an ISS crew member has worked all 7 continents
on the 430 MHz band. McArthur had previously worked all continents on
145 MHz to be the second ISS crew member to complete that feat. Mike
Fincke worked all 7 during his tour as Science Officer on Expedition 9.

Be sure to send in your QSL cards so Bill can claim his award.  Refer
to the ARISS QSL page for information on how to QSL:
http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm#QSL's

On January 21, Ed, KL7UW; Dale, KL7XJ; and Kevin, KL0RG worked NA1SS
on pass #41012 so Bill has now completed WAS from space on the 2 meter
band.

Congratulations Bill and thank you for all the time you give to talk
on the radio!

[ANS thanks Kenneth, N5VHO for the above information]

/EX

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.02
AO-7 Enters Period of No Eclipse

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.02

AO-7 has entered into a period where it does not go into eclipse.  The
orbit is precessing and at this time of the year it is at (and over)
the grey line on the western edge. Contrary to previous years, AO-7's
orbit has precessed to the point where it does not go into an eclipse.
This is the first time since it "awoke" that this has happened.

Emily Clarke, W0EEC has published some charts on the AO-7 log website
that illustrate the progression over the past few years that include
a chart of AO-7s eclipse durations and the latitude of when eclipse
happens.  You can see them at:

http://www.emilyshouse.com/experthams/ao7/Eclipse.php

Although not drawing any conclusions about mode of operation Emily states
that this is going to be an interesting period, "Since AO-7 will operate
in full sun without any power loss it will be interesting to see if and
when it's mode changes".  Comments to her directly are invited at her email
via AMSAT.ORG.

Emily also wants to thank all those who have been loyal contributors to
the website and indicates that the increased logging on the AO-7 log is
helping to enhance the ability to collect data.

"It has been very helpful to collect information about this intrepid
satellite, and hopefully the data will help enhance future designs.
AO-7 is breaking the mold, and the more data we can collect the better
we can improve our understanding of the space environment"

AO-7 was launched in 1974 and was a multi-national project between
the US, Canada, Germany and Australia.  It is the oldest operational
amateur satelllite.

[ANS thanks Emily, W0EEC for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.03
AO-7 Control Electronics Still Functioning After 30+ Years in Space

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.03

With the AO-7 satellite experiencing sunlit conditions for the next
several weeks radio amateurs have had an opportunity to determine
additional functionality of this 30+ year old satellite.  With its
batteries long dead, AO-7 is only operational when its solar cells
are adequately illuminated by sunlight.

John, LA2QAA noted, "After checking the log on 'The AO-7 Resource Page',
I estimated the switchover between modes on AO-7 to be at approximately
08:30 UTC daily. However, on the 17th of January, I noticed the changeover
happened at precisely 08:57 in the middle of a Mode-B QSO with UA9CP.  I
immediately switched to mode-A and carried on the QSO therby confirming
the time of the mode change on that particular day.  This shows that the
24 hour timer is functioning as it was designed to do 31 years ago!"

One of the AO-7 pioneers, Jan W3GEY brings us up to speed on AO-7's
internal timer, "If telemetry channel 2C seems to increment about every
15 minutes then the clock is still working."

Mike, N1JEZ, AO-7 Control Operator, suggests, "So what we really want to
do is monitor the telemetry and see if Channel 2C is really incrementing
and that the switch occurs near 95 in the cycle.  One other thing I'd like
to try is to command the satellite to reset the timer. This should be fun!"

Stay tuned as more is learned of the oldest operational amateur satellite
in orbit.

For more information refer to The AO-7 Resource Page at:
http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/

[ANS thanks John, LA2QAA, Jan, W3GEY and Mike, N1JEZ for the above
 information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.04
Satellite DX is Still Happening

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.04

In this period prior to the launch of the next high earth orbit
amateur radio satellites reports of satellite DX show that there
are still exciting opportunities for long-range contacts.  Timing
and location are key factors.

AO-7, in a polar orbit approximately 900 miles above the earth has
provided some DX.  Ron, K8DID in Michigan reports that he worked Victor,
YL2LW  in Latvia on AO-7 in Mode B this past week.  The land distance
between these stations is 7316 km.

Drew, KO4MA in Florida has had a past AO-7 contact with Andre, PH7AT in
the Netherlands.  The land distance between these stations is 7511 km.

Andre, PH7AT says a prior AO-7 contact with Randy, WB4LHD in Tennessee
is at a distance 7408 km.

[ANS thanks Emily, W0EEC for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.05
New Photos From the XI-V Cubesat Available

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.05

Mineo, JE9PEL says new photos from space from the camera aboard the
XI-V cubesat can viewed on-line at:

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/xivpict2.htm

These photos were taken when the satellite was over Canada, 64.5053N
and 99.6834W.  You can see the sunrise near the earth.

[ANS thanks Mineo, JE9PEL for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.06
AMSAT Journal Articles Needed - Deadline Nears

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.06

Ed, WA4SWJ, Editor of The AMSAT Journal reminds members that the deadline
for the next edition is drawing near.  Ed says, "Don't forget I need your
Journal articles soon. I've received a couple so far but can always use
more.  Time is running out. I'd like to have them by this coming Saturday
if at all possible. Of course I'll take them late but that doesn't help
me get it to the printer on time. Thanks for your great support!"

[ANS thanks Ed, WA4SWJ for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.07
Get Ready For SuitSat

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.07

Miles, WF1F sends the following International Space Station ARISS
SuitSat Project Status Report.

ARISS to activate a new hand launched educational satellite project from
the International Space station.  The new educational experiment is called
SuitSat.  The SuitSat project is onboard the International Space Station
and is being prepared for activation very soon.  The SuitSat project has a
tentative activation date of February 3, 2006.  The SuitSat activation will
take place during the ISS crew space walk. SuitSat will be a hand launched
by the ISS crew during their early February SpaceWalk.

Since we have determined that the batteries in SuitSast may last only a
few days, it is suggested that radio amateurs prepare now to receive the
first transmissions so as not to miss out on this Historical event!
The current expected life of the SuitSat project is approximately 2 to 6
days.  If you delay in setting up your station you may miss out on this
educational experiment.

What is SuitSat:
In short, the crew will toss an Old spacesuit out the airlock and let it
fly away as its own satellite.  The Space Station crew have attached an
Amateur Radio beacon transmitter to the spacesuit.  The SuitSat project
will broadcast telemetry and voice messages to earth for as long as the
batteries last.  There are no solar cells on this satellite.

Anyone with a simple FM receiver or VHF police scanner should be able to
hear the signals from SuitSat on 145.99 MHz as it orbits around the earth
15 times a day.

Voice Telemetry:
The SuitSat project will be transmitting on 145.990 MHz FM and will
consist of Voice Telemetry, giving Mission Time, Suit Temperature and
Battery Voltage, Voice Greeting messages in multiple languages, and an
SSTV image using Robot 36 format.  This entire transmission cycle will
repeat every 9 minutes until the batteries discharge.

SuitSat Transmitter:
The SuitSat transmitter is a Kenwood TH-K2, a small hand held radio, which
will transmit a 1 watt FM signal from SuitSat on 145.990 MHz FM Downlink
only.  There is no uplink for this satellite.

The ARISS team is also planning on using the Kenwood D700 transceiver aboard
the ISS to rebroadcast the SuitSat signal on 437.800 MHz FM.  This will
allow you to hear SuitSat while ISS is in range of your station.

For more specific details on the SuitSat project, please review the AMSAT
and related links below.

AMSAT SuitSat information:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/SuitSat/

ARISS SuitSat Details:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/articles/BauerSuitsat/index.php

ARISS video on SuitSat September 2005
mms://media.wmfd.com/amsat/SuitSat.wmv

[ANS thanks Miles, WF1F for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.08
NASA Prepares For February 3 Spacewalk

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.08

NASA is hosting a preview session about the next spacewalk by the
International Space Station Expedition 12 crew at 2 p.m. EST, Friday,
January 27 from NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston. The event airs
live on NASA TV with questions from media at participating agency locations.

The spacewalk by station Commander Bill McArthur and Flight Engineer
Valery Tokarev is Feb. 3. It airs live on NASA TV with coverage
starting at 4:30 p.m. EST. The six-hour spacewalk starts at 5:20 p.m.
EST. (SuitSat is likely to be released during this spacewalk.)

For digital downlink information and access to NASA TV's Public Channel
on the Web in RealPlayer, RealAudio, or Windows Media Player, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

[ANS thanks NASA for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-022.09
OSCARLocator Photo Gallery Invites Contributions

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 022.09
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
January 22, 2006
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-022.09

Emily, W0EEC has set up a temporary photo gallery for people to
upload photos of their OSCARLocators and other early satellite
tracking systems.

The gallery is located at:
http://www.emilyshouse.com/gallery/OSCARLocators

A few tips and rules:

1) To upload photos you must login (not required to view the
gallery).  The login is OSCAR (all upper case) and the password is
seven (all lower case).

2) Before uploading photos it's a good idea to resize them to 800 x
600.  This will make sure that the upload time (2min) isn't exceeded.

3) After uploading, edit the caption.  Please include your name and
description.

New photos are added to the end of the gallery so you might have to
page back to find your upload.

This is self-policing, so if you find any uploads that are
inappropriate please let me know via email (w0eec@amsat.org) so
I can remedy the situation.

/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, WB9JEJ
WB9JEJ at amsat dot org
----
Via the ans mailing list at AMSAT.ORG courtesy of AMSAT-NA.
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe ans" to Majordomo@amsat.org

--- ViaMAIL!/WC v1.60d
 * Origin: Chowdanet (401-724-4410) telnet://chowdanet.com  (1:323/120)