Category Archives: AMSAT

International Space Station – Image Credit NASA

Amateur Radio On The International Space Station (ARISS) is planning a very special Slow Scan Television (SSTV) event from about 1000 UT Saturday, Oct. 27 until 1930 UT Monday, Oct. 29 on 145.800 MHz FM using PD-120.

Helping to support the event will be NASA’s Space, Communication and Navigation (SCaN) Department.

The Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program manages NASA’s three most important communications networks: The Space Network (SN), Near Earth Network (NEN), and the Deep Space Network (DSN).

Just as in past ARISS SSTV commemorations, twelve images will be downlinked, but this time with six featuring the SCaN educational activities while the other six images will commemorate major NASA anniversaries, ie., when NASA was established, astronauts first landing on the moon, etc.

In addition to the fun of receiving these images, participants can qualify for a special endorsement for the NASA On The Air (NOTA) celebration event. To learn more about NOTA visit https://nasaontheair.wordpress.com/

Once received, images can be posted and viewed at
http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php

The transmissions are expected to be broadcast at the usual frequency of 145.800 MHz using the PD-120 SSTV mode.

Please note that the event is dependent on other activities, schedules and crew responsibilities on the ISS and are subject to change at any time.

Source AMSAT News Service

Note the ISS transmissions use the 5 kHz deviation FM standard rather than the narrow 2.5 kHz used in Europe. If your transceiver has selectable FM filters try using the wider filter. Handheld transceivers generally have a single wide filter fitted as standard and you should get good results outdoors using just a 1/4 wave whip antenna.

ISS SSTV links for tracking and decoding software
https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/

You can receive the SSTV transmissions by using an Online Radio (WebSDR) and the MMSSTV software:
• Listen to the ISS when it is in range of London with the SUWS WebSDR http://farnham-sdr.com/
• Listen to the ISS when it is over Russia with the R4UAB WebSDR http://websdr.r4uab.ru/

ISS Fan Club – Tracking / Predictions http://www.issfanclub.com/

If you receive a full or partial picture from the Space Station your Local Newspaper may like to know http://www.southgatearc.org/news/2016/july/now-is-a-great-time-to-get-ham-radio-publicity.htm

The RSGB produce a handy Media Guide and Template press release for anyone to download and adapt, see http://rsgb.org/main/clubs/media-guide-for-affiliated-societies/

An example of the publicity you can get for the hobby by telling your Local Newspaper
https://amsat-uk.org/2015/04/15/iss-sstv-in-the-press/

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The JOTA-JOTI FUNcube Challenge involved the FUNcube-1 (AO-73) satellite which transmitted a special Enigma message during Jamboree On The Air (JOTA-JOTI) on October 19-21.

15RR Valentes de Davi scouts

The message was coded using the Enigma cipher machine. After receiving the message, transmitted on a frequency of 145.935 MHz in 1200 bps BPSK, the scouts could determine the deciphering key and Enigma settings by correctly answering 10 space and satellite related questions.

Paulo PV8DX reports the 15RR Valentes de Davi scout group from the city of Boa Vista in the state of Roraima, Brazil were among those who decoded the message.

In the UK the Chertsey Radio Club reports they ran a special event station GB6SS for the Sixth Staines Scouts. In addition to using the digital ode FT-8, see report, the scouts also decoded the FUNcube-1 Enigma message.

Watch Sixth Staines Scouts with Chertsey Radio Club completing JOTA FUNcube Challenge

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Serena Auñón-Chancellor KG5TMT

NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor KG5TMT who is currently on the International Space Station was active on 145.800 MHz FM making contacts on Saturday, October 20 using the callsign NA1SS. Watch a video at https://twitter.com/supercazzola/status/1053659932292247552

The ISS packet radio digipeater on 145.825 MHz was active during Jamboree On The Air (JOTA) and Lauren 2E0HLR took advantage of this to demonstrate reception of APRS packets from the Space Station to Scouts, see https://twitter.com/G0PEKand2E0HLR/status/1053708000127578113

Adil Namakoe YD3HNL has released a video of the Slow Scan TV pictures he received during Jamboree On The Air from the amateur radio satellite IO-86

Watch IO-86 SSTV MODE #JOTA PASS 20102018

Adil Namakoe YD3HNL
https://twitter.com/adilnamakoe/
https://www.facebook.com/adil.namakoe

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AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

In space, satellites can be found. A recent development in this area are the “CubeSat” satellites.

Normal satellites typically have a size ranging from that of a washing machine to a small truck.

CubeSats have the size of a milk-carton!

This challenge focuses on the FUNcube-1 (AO-73) CubeSat satellite. During the JOTA-JOTI a special, coded, message will be transmitted. This message can be received with a simple 2m handheld antenna, e.g. HB9CV, a small yagi or even a vertical, and a SDR-dongle or any SSB radio for 2m. The data is sent by the satellite on its telemetry channel of 145.935 MHz (1200bd BPSK modulated). You will need to set your receiver to Upper Side Band (USB). If you use a FUNcube dongle, you can directly receive the satellite.

The message is coded using the Enigma cipher machine. The deciphering key and Enigma correct settings can be obtained by answering the questions below.

The message sent by the satellite follows the following format: JOTA JOTI START coded message STOP

Your deciphered message can be mailed to: JJ.Satellite.Challenge (at) kitbuilding.org ( (at)=@)

The mail should contain your name, age, country and Scout group name and the correct answer!

AO-73 (FUNcube-1) – Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

If you have any pictures of the reception of the satellite with your group, this would also be highly appreciated, we would love to see how you did it!

If your answer is right and mailed before the 1st of November 2018, you will participate in a raffle.

The winner will get some products from www.kitbuilding.org
Have a lot of fun and good luck! Best 73s, Wouter PA3WEG and Jeroen PE1RGE

Information about the FUNcube1 can be found at:
https://funcube.org.uk/
https://www.amsat.org/two-way-satellites/ao-73-funcube-1/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FUNcube-1

Possible online Enigma coding machines:
http://users.telenet.be/d.rijmenants/en/enigmasim.htm
https://people.physik.hu-berlin.de/~palloks/js/enigma/enigma-i+m3_v16.html

Background information on the Enigma can be found here:
http://www.cryptomuseum.com/crypto/enigma/

The message is coded with an Enigma M3, Navy version.

Note: the Plugboard (Steckerbrett) is not used!!

FUNcube-1 Launch Day Mug

The questions for obtaining the deciphering key:

1.) A geostationary satellite has an altitude above the earths surface of (approximately):
A. 20200 km or 12600 miles – First rotor is rotor III
B. 35786 km or 22236 miles – First rotor is rotor V
C. 42164 km or 26199 miles – First rotor is rotor VII

2.) NASA has selected over 300 astronauts since 1959,
A. None of them was ever active in Scouting – First rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) A
B. Not more than 37 of them were active in Scouting – First rotor alphabet setting
(ringstellung) F
C. More than 200 were/are active in Scouting – First rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) S

3.) The average distance between the moon and the earth is:
A. 1738 km or 1080 miles – First rotor initial setting (grundstellung) D
B. 12742 km or 7918 miles – First rotor initial setting (grundstellung) G
C. 385001 km or 239228 miles – First rotor initial setting (grundstellung) H

4.) AMSAT, an organisation involved in launching a number of radio amateur satellites was founded in:
A. 1969 – Second rotor is rotor II
B. 1978 – Second rotor is rotor VI
C. 1991 – Second rotor is rotor VIII

5.) As satellites are flying extremely high in the sky, at least 100 Watts of transmit power is needed to establish communication with or through a satellite. Is this true or false?
A. True – Second rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) D
B. False – Second rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) C

6.) The Russian Sputnik 1 was the first artificial satellite orbiting around the earth. When was this satellite launched?
A. October 4th, 1957 – Second rotor initial setting (grundstellung) A
B. January 31st, 1958 – Second rotor initial setting (grundstellung) G
C. July 20th, 1969 – Second rotor initial setting (grundstellung) F

7.) The abbreviation OSCAR means:
A. Open Source Communication for Amateur Radio – Third rotor is rotor III
B. Outer Space Charge – free Amateur Radio – Third rotor is rotor IV
C. Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio – Third rotor is rotor I

8.) Signals from a satellite are characterized by Doppler-shift, this means:
A. The frequency of the transmitted signal appears to be higher when the satellite is moving towards you. – Third rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) T
B. The frequency of the transmitted signal appears to be lower when the satellite is moving towards you. – Third rotor alphabet setting (ringstellung) U

9.) If a radio amateur wants to communicate through satellites he/she needs to do an additional exam in order to obtain a special license, the Amateur Radio Operator License (AROL). True or false?
A. True – Third rotor initial setting (grundstellung) R
B. False – Third rotor initial setting (grundstellung) M

10.) Radio amateurs can make radio contact with the ISS (International Space Station)?
A. Yes – Reflector B
B. No – Reflector C

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AO-73 (FUNcube-1) – Image credit Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG

FUNcube-1

As you will know, AO73/FUNcube-1 has been in full sunlight for over one month and has been transmitting continuously high power telemetry for most of that time. This has now been changed to full time amateur mode so the transponder is once again available. With the more stable on board temperatures being experienced, this means that the transponder frequencies are also now more stable. We expect to leave it in this mode for some weeks so that the team can determine whether or not the currents flowing from the solar panels are having any noticeable effect on the spin period.

FUNcube-2

The FUNcube-2 transponder on EO-88/UKube-1 continues to be in full time transponder mode. There are occasional breaks in service for a few seconds when the OBC reboots and the other onboard transmitter sends its CW beacon.

FUNcube-3 on Nayif-1

EO88/Nayif-1 continues to perform nominally with high power telemetry when in sunlight and amateur mode when in eclipse.

With their slightly different orbital characteristics it is useful that AO73 is now the early bird, EO88 comes over in the mid morning and UKube provides coverage in the afternoon.

We have been suffering from some network issues in relation to uploading the telemetry from the Dashboards to the Data Warehouse over the past couple of weeks. Apologies for this, but hopefully everything is now stable again. ie fingers are still crossed. Thank you for all the telemetry that you upload.

Like many other teams, we are presently waiting for the next Space-X launch from Vandenberg which is expected to be carrying a number of new amateur payloads, These will provide additional transponder and STEM capabilities for the amateur satellite service. Exciting times ahead.

73 Graham G3VZV

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AMSAT-UK Ground Station Team Explaining Satellite Working – Credit Mike Rupprecht DK3WN

The special event station GB0AUK will be active on the amateur satellites at the AMSAT-UK Colloquium, part of the RSGB Connvention, in Milton Keynes Oct 13-14.

AMSAT-UK members will be running a demonstration amateur radio satellite ground station, using the equipment provided to schools for the UK Space Station (ARISS) contacts in 2016.

The station will be operational, as time permits during from Friday, October 12 until Sunday, October 14.

There will also be a ‘Beginners Session’ on Sunday morning at 09:30 BST which, like all the Colloquium presentations, will be streamed live.

The AMSAT-UK Colloquium is part of the RSGB Convention at the Kents Park Conference Centre, Timbold Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ. Colloquium presentations will be in Lecture Room 5. Download the programme schedule from
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/rsgb-convention-programme/

Tickets to the event are available at the door or you can book in advance at
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/

The live stream of the Colloquium presentations will be at https://batc.org.uk/live/

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Professor David Southwood

At 10:45am on Sunday, October 14, the Chair of the UK Space Agency Steering Board Professor David Southwood will give a presentation on the Cassini-Huygens mission to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium in Milton Keynes.

More than 35 years ago, a small group of scientists in Europe met with American counterparts to discuss what might be done to explore jointly the outer planets – in particular Saturn, its rings and moons.

At the time, Europe did not have plans to explore the solar system at all. Indeed, many wanted to keep it that way. Nonetheless, in what seems now a very short time, 6 years later, it was agreed that Europe and the US would jointly perform a grand mission, Cassini-Huygens to Saturn and its major moon, Titan with Europe building Huygens, the Titan lander.

In 2017 almost 20 years after Cassini-Huygens was launched to Saturn the programme finally ended with the Cassini mothership deliberately diving into the Saturn atmosphere. The history of the programme and some of its highs and lows will be outlined.

The AMSAT-UK Colloquium is part of the RSGB Convention at the Kents Park Conference Centre, Timbold Drive, Milton Keynes, MK7 6BZ. Colloquium presentations will be in Lecture Room 5. Download the programme schedule from
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/rsgb-convention-programme/

Tickets to the event are available at the door or you can book in advance at
http://rsgb.org/main/about-us/rsgb-convention/

There will be a live stream of the Colloquium presentations at https://batc.org.uk/live/

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Peter Gülzow DB2OS President AMSAT-DL

AMSAT-DL President Peter Gülzow DB2OS reports on a new amateur radio satellite forum that aims to help newcomers become active on the satellites.

On the AMSAT Bulletin board (AMSAT-BB) he writes:

We have set up a new online forum at https://forum.amsat-dl.org/

Especially with the upcoming launch of P4-A / Es’hail-2 we want to offer a forum for extensive discussions.

Essentially this is a forum, where everyone can report on experiences and knowledge from operating satellites and thereby help other newly interested radio amateurs to become active and a member of our satellite community.

Of course all topics around amateur radio satellites and OSCAR’s should be discussed there, appropriate categories and forums were created. If necessary this can be extended at any time and on request.

We would be pleased if the new forum is well received and you register there with your callsign (if available) as your name.

Of course you can also look around as a “guest”.

Experienced users can also check in the settings for new entries and have them delivered by eMail if you wish so.

In this sense, have fun

Peter, DB2OS 1st Chairman
Chris, DL7AG, Webmaster

AMSAT-DL https://tinyurl.com/AMSAT-DL

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E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the Autumn 2018 edition of OSCAR News here.

The paper edition should be sent to postal members in 2-3 weeks.

In this issue:
• From the Secretary’s Keyboard
• 2018 Meetings & Events calendar
• Programme for the 2018 Colloquium
• A Newcomer to Satellites and a First Rove – to Iceland!
• Mini Rove by Pete Green G0ABI
• MacDoppler Pro
• OSCAR NEWS – The Editors are retiring!
• The First OSCAR spacecraft is now in orbit around the moon
• Inter MAI-75 ISS SSTV
• FUNcube-1 after almost five years’ service!
• AMSAT-UK Construction Competition
• NASA Upgrades Space Station Emergency Communications Ground Stations
• EA8/DL4ZAB operation
• AMSAT-UK 2017-2018 Statement of Accounts
• Work at Goonhilly
• Charter Member, Past AMSAT President William A. “Bill” Tynan, W3XO, SK
• My Radio Life by Bill Tynan, W3XO, (Part 1)
• Keynote Speaker at Colloquium
• EMF 2018
• Es’Hail-2 Launching soon!
• AMSAT-UK update – upcoming launches and other news
• Notice Of The 2018 Annual General Meeting Of AMSAT-UK
• Youngsters On The Air 2018 – South Africa

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in amateur radio satellites or space activities, including the International Space Station (ISS).

E-members of AMSAT-UK are able to download OSCAR News as a convenient PDF that can be read on laptops, tablets or smartphones anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Join as an E-member at Electronic (PDF) E-membership

PDF sample copy of “Oscar News” here.

Join AMSAT-UK using PayPal, Debit or Credit card at
http://shop.amsat-uk.org/

E-members can download their copies of OSCAR News here.

Click here to visit Original posting

E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the Autumn 2018 edition of OSCAR News here.

The paper edition should be sent to postal members in 2-3 weeks.

In this issue:
• From the Secretary’s Keyboard
• 2018 Meetings & Events calendar
• Programme for the 2018 Colloquium
• A Newcomer to Satellites and a First Rove – to Iceland!
• Mini Rove by Pete Green G0ABI
• MacDoppler Pro
• OSCAR NEWS – The Editors are retiring!
• The First OSCAR spacecraft is now in orbit around the moon
• Inter MAI-75 ISS SSTV
• FUNcube-1 after almost five years’ service!
• AMSAT-UK Construction Competition
• NASA Upgrades Space Station Emergency Communications Ground Stations
• EA8/DL4ZAB operation
• AMSAT-UK 2017-2018 Statement of Accounts
• Work at Goonhilly
• Charter Member, Past AMSAT President William A. “Bill” Tynan, W3XO, SK
• My Radio Life by Bill Tynan, W3XO, (Part 1)
• Keynote Speaker at Colloquium
• EMF 2018
• Es’Hail-2 Launching soon!
• AMSAT-UK update – upcoming launches and other news
• Notice Of The 2018 Annual General Meeting Of AMSAT-UK
• Youngsters On The Air 2018 – South Africa

AMSAT-UK FUNcube Mission Patch

Membership of AMSAT-UK is open to anyone who has an interest in amateur radio satellites or space activities, including the International Space Station (ISS).

E-members of AMSAT-UK are able to download OSCAR News as a convenient PDF that can be read on laptops, tablets or smartphones anytime, anyplace, anywhere. Join as an E-member at Electronic (PDF) E-membership

PDF sample copy of “Oscar News” here.

Join AMSAT-UK using PayPal, Debit or Credit card at
http://shop.amsat-uk.org/

E-members can download their copies of OSCAR News here.

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