Category Archives: AMSAT

Diwata-2 satellite

The Philippine Diwata-2 satellite carrying an amateur radio FM transponder and APRS digipeater is expected to launch in October.

The Business Mirror reports:

The 50-kilogram satellite shall soon be sent into orbit by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its partner, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (Jaxa).

It should be recalled that the DOST had the Philippines’s first microsatellite—the maiden Diwata-1 that was designed, developed and assembled in Japan by nine pioneering Filipino engineers and scientists along with their “sensei” (instructors) from the Tohoku University (TU) and Hokkaido University (HU).

Diwata-1 was launched into the International Space Station onboard the Orbital ATK’s Cygnus spacecraft on March 23, 2016. It was deployed from the ISS into her orbit on April 27 by the Japanese Experimental Module (JEM)—”Kibo” or Hope—around 400 km above Earth’s surface.

Now, two years and four months later, the government is about to unveil the second iteration of Diwata-1—named Diwata-2 targeted for launching onboard Jaxa’s H-IIA rocket from Tanegashima Island in Japan.

Ariston Gonzalez, a researcher/lead research and development engineer for PHL-Microsat at DOST-Asti, is quoted in the article as saying:

“All one has to do is tune in [a ham radio] to the frequency of Diwata-2 to send voice messages while the other party stands by to receive the voice message.”

“target use for ham radio [of Diwata-2] is for emergency situations wherein all commercial communications are down.”

“What Diwata-2 does is to serve as a relay or connecting point for two persons communicating with each other,” he pointed out.”

“One can also store messages on Diwata-2 that can be broadcasted repeatedly across and over the Philippines, such as prerecorded emergency messages in times of disasters, calamities and other kinds of emergency.”

The IARU has coordinated these frequencies for Diwata-2:
– 145.900 MHz downlink
– 437.500 MHz uplink

Read the full Business Mirror story at
https://businessmirror.com.ph/diwata-2-microsatellite-nears-completion-handover-to-jaxa/

Diwata-2 information
http://phl-microsat.upd.edu.ph/diwata2
https://www.facebook.com/PHLMicrosat

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SiriusSat-1 (RS13S) and SiriusSat-2 (RS14S) CubeSats

Five Russian satellites are expected be deployed from the International Space Station on Wednesday, August 15 during a spacewalk (EVA-45) by Sergei Prokopiev and Oleg Artemiev.

SiriusSat-1 (SXC1-181) RS13S beacon 435.570 MHz
SiriusSat-2 (SXC1-182) RS14S beacon 435.670 MHz

Tanyusha SWSU №3 RS-8 beacon ??437.050 MHz 9k6 FSK or FM voice??
Tanyusha SWSU №4 RS-9 beacon ??437.050 MHz 9k6 FSK or FM voice??

ТNS-0 №3 (Technologicesky Nanosputnik)

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Es’hail-2 coverage area

Es’hailSat has tweeted their geostationary satellite Es’hail-2 is expected to be launched by SpaceX in the 4th quarter of 2018.

Qatar’s Es’hail-2 satellite will provide the first amateur radio geostationary communications and is capable of linking amateurs from Brazil to Thailand.

Es’hail-2 will carry two “Phase 4” amateur radio transponders operating in the 2400 MHz and 10450 MHz bands. A 250 kHz bandwidth linear transponder intended for conventional analogue operations and an 8 MHz bandwidth transponder for experimental digital modulation schemes and DVB amateur television.

On August 2 the company tweeted the launch information in response to a question about the launch date from Eric Ralph https://twitter.com/eshailsat/status/1024898547165093890

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Masa JN1GKZ reports JAXA has announced three BIRDS-2 CubeSats with APRS digipeaters will deploy from the International Space Station on August 10, 2018.

BHUTAN-1, MAYA-1 and UiTMSat-1 will transmit 30 minutes after deployment. Initial mode looks CW on 70cm.

They use same frequency 437.375 MHz and transmit in the order of BHUTAN-1, MAYA-1 and UiTMSat-1. Each CubeSat also has an APRS digipeater on 145.825 MHz.

Satellite      Country      ID             Call Sign
BHUTAN-1  Bhutan       BIRD-BT   JG6YKL
MAYA-1      Philippines  BIRD-PH  JG6YKM
UiTMSat-1  Malaysia     BIRD-MY  JG6YKN

BIRDS Project http://birds2.birds-project.com/operation/

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To popularise Ham Radio in western India two events were conducted back to back recently by Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP Regional Coordinator AMSAT-INDIA.

LDRP College Gandhinagar

LDRP College Gandhinagar

‘Ham Radio for GenX’ – Full day workshop with demo was conducted at LDRP College Gandhinagar (Gujarat – India) on 12th July 2018. More than 70 EC students + faculties participated in this awareness event.

Program was inaugurated with kind presence of dignitaries from
GIAR, LDRP, IEEE, ISRO & AMSAT-INDIA.

From GIAR, OM Pravinbhai Valera VU2CPV (Joint Secretary) & OM Jagdishbhai Pandya VU2JGI (General Secretary) blessed us with their kind presence.

Presentation on ‘Antennas for Space Application’ was conducted by Dr. Ramesh Kumar Gupta (SAC-ISRO).

Ham Radio history & Introductory session was nicely conducted by Jagdishbhai Pandya VU2JGI with several interesting examples.

Thereafter Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP gave good overview on Satellite Communication, Digital Communication, APRS, RDF, IOTA, SSTV & RTL-SDR etc. technology.

Live demo of SSTV was conducted which was very much enjoyed by the students & faculties. VHF demo with mock drill was simulated by VU2EXP Rajesh, VU2JGI Jagdishbhai, VU3IKI Ke Ke, VU3EXP Sakshi & team.

Ham Radio stuff were exhibited incl. VHF/UHF Rigs, PSU, Antennas, Digital Interfaces, Cables, SWR Meter, attenuator, FUNcube satellite model,
QSL Cards, Awards, etc stuff was displayed for the knowledge of the students.

We also got nice support from other fellow hams incl. VU3DVA Deepakbhai, VU3GLY Priyesh, VU3DSJ Dipakbhai, SWL Abhigna etc team.

We had guest presence of Dr Narendra Chauhan Sir (IPR) & Prof. N. N. Jani Sir in the event.

I am thankful to Prof. Dave Sir (HOD – EC), Prof. Mendhe Sir (EC), Mr. Nilesh Makwana (IEEE) to nicely coordinate & support the event.

Program concluded in hope to have good number of future hams from the Institute.

LD College Ahmedabad

LD College Ahmedabad

‘Ham Radio Practical Insight’ titled workshop was conducted at LD College Ahmedabad (Gujarat – India) on 13th July 2018 in afternoon session. More than 65 EC students + faculties participated.

Dignitaries from IEEE, ISRO, LD & AMSAT-INDIA inaugurated the workshop. It was our great pleasure to have chief guest presence of Shri Rajeev Jyoti Sir (Dy. Director SAC – ISRO) & Chair (IEEE) Gujarat chapter in this Ham Radio Workshop.

Rajesh Vagadia VU2EXP explained the latest technology/modes ham world uses & gave quick practical Demos for chief guest. Demo includes CW, Text, Image & Voice transmission/reception with simple VHF Radio sets. The simple experiment techniques used were described. Students were surprised to learn the potential of Amateur Radio & experts appreciate such public demos.

We got nice support from team members VU3EXP Sakshi, VU2UTZ Dinyarji, VU3PMT Mahendrabhai, VU3GLY Priyesh, SWL Ketanbhai during demo & whole event.

Thereafter detailed presentation was given on interesting ham events, digital communication, Satellite Communication, ARISS program, ASOC licencing procedure, APRS, SSTV witth RTL-SSDR etc.

Session remain very interactive with lots of queries which were answered very well by VU2EXP. Also mini Ham Radio exhibition was keenly enjoyed by the audience.

I am thankful to Prof. Usha Madam (HOD – EC), Prof. Arun Sir (EC), Mr. Nilesh Makwana (IEEE) to nicely coordinate & support the event.

Small spark of Ham Radio was ignited, hope we get good number of Hams from the participants, in the future.

Thanks & 73’s

VU2EXP
Rajesh P. Vagadia – Rajkot
Regional Coordinator
West India Zone
AMSAT-INDIA

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ISS SSTV MAI-75 image 9/12 received by Chertsey Radio Club on Baofeng handheld

The Russian cosmonauts on the International Space Station are expected to activate amateur radio Slow Scan Television (SSTV) transmissions on 145.800 MHz FM during Monday and Tuesday, July 30-31.

The Inter-MAI-75 SSTV experiment should be active on:
• Monday, July 30 from 16:00-19:30 UT
• Tuesday, July 31 from 13:25-19:15 UT

The SSTV images will be transmitted on 145.800 MHz FM using the Kenwood TM-D710 transceiver located in the Russian ISS Service module. It is expected they will use the PD-120 SSTV format.

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/

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In his blog Peter Goodhall 2M0SQL looks at satellite tracking Apps for Android devices

He says “Satellite tracking applications play an important part in using the transponders available to radio amateurs, of course, experiences of them all vary and are very subjective however we are going to explore what is available on the Android platform.”

Read his blog post at
https://www.2m0sql.com/2018/07/23/android-satellite-tracking-applications/

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Goonhilly GHY-1 “Arthur”

Phil M0DNY is planning to launch a high altitude balloon or two on Tuesday, July 10 from the Goonhilly Earth Station on the Lizard in Cornwall, nearby to the Marconi Wireless Testing Station.

Any help with tracking would be greatly appreciated!

We’re currently undecided between morning or late-afternoon. If we go for morning then we may also launch a second later near-identical balloon later in the day. 5m/s ascent, ~35km burst.

Two Trackers:

• Callsign: 1900 (year of construction of the Marconi Wireless Station)
– Calling Beacon: 433.650MHz.100 LoRa Mode 5
– Telemetry: 434.300 MHz LoRa 20.8K SF10 4/5 Explicit

• Callsign: 1901 (year of first over-the-horizon transmission received at the Wireless Station, from the Isle of Wight)
– 434.100 MHz RTTY 50bd 7n2 480Hz

I’ll post updates in #highaltitude on the day when I can.

For tuning in on the pi-in-the-sky LoRa gateway, the config you need is:

CallingTimeout=60
frequency_<x>=433.650
mode_<x>=5
AFC_<x>=y

Thanks, Phil M0DNY

The 434.100 MHz FSK RTTY balloon signal should be receivable across most of the British Isles using a radio capable of SSB reception in 434 MHz.

Links to #highaltitude IRC chat, UKHAS mailing list, Online Radio and Tracking at https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/balloons/

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International Space Station – Image Credit NASA

Masa JN1GKZ reports JAXA has announced that nine CubeSats will deploy from the International Space Station on Friday, July 13.

The nine CubeSats are RainCube, Radix, CubeRRT, HaloSat, TEMPEST-D, EnduroSat AD, EQUISat, MemSat and RadSat-g.

EnduroSat AD, EQUISat and MemSat will operate in the amateur bands. The IARU Amateur Satellite Frequency Coordination Status pages show these frequencies:
• EnduroSat AD 437.050MHz CW, GFSK 9k6
• EQUISat 435.550MHz CW, FSK 9k6
• MemSat 437.350MHz BPSK 9k6

Happy chasing!
Masa JN1GKZ Tokyo Japan

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E-members of AMSAT-UK can now download the Summer 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
• My amateur Radio “Career” by Peter 2M0SQL
• Things that fall from the sky!
• AO73/FUNcube-1 Illumination update
• Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint: An Introduction to AMSAT-NA’s GOLF Program
• News Round-up June 2018
• Spacelink “Get Space V” day
• Presentations planned for the 2018 AMSAT-UK Colloquium
• Operating portable in the Mediterranean
• ESERO Germany opened in Bochum
• Debris Risks in GEO Orbits
• World Amateur Radio Day
• ATHENOXAT-1 Image received
• Pointing that Dish for Es’hail-2!
• Her Majesty’s Royal Mint – GB4RME
• My Satellite Story – G0ABI
• Beginners workshop on SDR programming
• 2018 AMSAT-NA Space Symposium
• Ham Radio at Friedrichshafen
• The AMSAT-UK Colloquium – 2018
• AMSAT-UK Data Privacy policy – May ‘18
• Lean Qualification of the AMSAT-UK Software Radio Payload
• Electromagnetic Field 2018 August 31 to September 2
• TLE confusion
• Young space entrepreneurs win backing from industry experts

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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