———- Forwarded message ———-
From: E.Mike McCardel <mccardelm@gmail.com>
Date: 2017-12-24 10:03 GMT+08:00
Subject: [ans] ANS-358 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
To: ans@amsat.org

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-358

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space
including 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.

The news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur
Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:
ans-editor at amsat.org.

In this edition:

* AO73 / FUNcube-1 Happy Holiday Mode
* Satellite Activity Planned From Solomon Islands
* AMSAT CW Activity Day 2018 In Memory Of G3IOR
* Another Radio Amateur Joins ISS Crew, Three Hams Now On Board
* AMSAT Officed Closed For Holiday
* 13 US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections
* Satellite DXCC Awarded to K8YSE
* Special Membership Offer Continues for RadFxSat/AO-91 Launch
* Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts From All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-358.01
ANS-358 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 358.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
December 24, 2017
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-358.01

AO73 / FUNcube-1 Happy Holiday Mode

AO73/FUNcube-1 is now operating in full time transponder mode and
will continue in this mode until the evening of Wednesday  3rd
January 2018.

Please enjoy the transponder during this happy holiday period!

Season’s greetings from the whole FUNcube team.

[ANS thanks Graham, G3VZV for the above information]

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Satellite Activity Planned From Solomon Islands

H44, SOLOMON ISLANDS. Shane, VK4KHZ, will once again be active as
H44DA from his holiday home in Busuone, Guadalcanal Island (OC-047),
until sometime early January 2018. His main focus is on 6 meters, but
he will also be active on various HF bands (80/40/20/15/10m) using
SSB and also on the SO-50 satellite. Suggested 6m frequencies are:
calling on 50.110 MHz, Shane will always QSY to 50.125 as his primary
frequency and 50.135 as his secondary frequency (secondary frequency
will only be used if primary is in use or too much QRM). QSL via his
home callsign direct. NO Bureau. PLEASE NOTE: This is not a
DXpedition, but Shane’s annual holiday – he will be operating the
radio only as time permits and when doing so, training the locals in
the operation of the equipment so please be patient and courteous.

[ANS thanks Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1344 for the above information]

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AMSAT CW Activity Day 2018 In Memory Of G3IOR

You are cordially invited to participate in AMSAT’s second annual CW
Activity Day.  It will be held from 0001 to 2400 UTC on January 1,
2018. This year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Pat Gowen,
G3IOR.

The rules are very simple: there aren’t any.  Just operate CW
through any amateur radio satellite.  Straight keys and “bugs” are
encouraged, but not required.  The important thing is to get on the
air and have fun.

[ANS thanks Ray W2RS for the above information]

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Another Radio Amateur Joins ISS Crew, Three Hams Now On Board

The International Space Station crew is back to its nominal
complement of six members, after Scott Tingle, KG5NZA, Anton
Shkaplerov, and Norishige Kanai arrived on board early this week.

Cosmonaut Alexander Misurkin is the new Expedition 54 commander. The
other crew members are Mark Vande Hei, KG5GNP, and Joe Acaba, KE5DAR.

On December 17, Tingle, Shkaplerov, and Kanai headed into space on
board a Soyuz MS-07 vehicle from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information]

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AMSAT Officed Closed For Holiday

The AMSAT Office is closed from Friday, Dec 22 – Friday, Jan 5th.
Please check the website (amsat.org) for information.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS and a VERY HAPPY HEALTHY NEW YEAR.

[ANS thanks Martha for the above information

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13 US Schools/Groups Move Into Phase 2 of ARISS Selections

The ARISS-US Team (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station)
is pleased to announce that 13 of the 25 schools or organizations
submitting proposals have been selected to advance to the next stage
of planning to host amateur radio contacts in July to December 2018.
The contacts will be with International Space Station (ISS) crew
members using the ARISS equipment on the ISS.  A review team of
educators from the new ARISS-US Education Committee selected
proposals after the recent proposal window closed. The groups will go
forward into Phase 2, the submitting of an amateur radio equipment
plan to host a scheduled ARISS contact.

ARISS’s primary goal is to engage young people in science,
technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities, and involve them
in activities related to space exploration, amateur radio,
communications, and areas of associated study and career
possibilities.

ARISS anticipates that NASA will be able to provide scheduling
opportunities for these US host organizations during the second half
of 2018.  These candidates must now complete an equipment plan that
demonstrates their ability to execute the ham radio contact. Once
their equipment plan is approved by the ARISS technical team, the
final selected schools / organizations will be scheduled as their
availability and flexibility match up with the scheduling
opportunities.

The schools and organizations are:
Allen Park Elementary School, Lee County School District Ft. Myers FL
Ashford School Ashford CT
Bishop O’Connell High School Arlington VA
Delcastle Technical High School Wilmington DE
Hudson Memorial School Hudson NH
Kopernik Observatory & Science Center Vestal NY
Mendez Fundamental Intermediate School Santa Ana CA
Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School Palmer MA
Pearl Technology STEM Academy Peoria Heights IL
Pell Elementary School Newport RI
St. Catherine of Bologna School Ringwood NJ
Tallmadge Community Learning Center Lancaster OH
Valley High School Albuquerque NM

ABOUT ARISS

Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) is a
cooperative venture of international amateur radio societies and the
space agencies that support the International Space Station (ISS). In
the United States, sponsors are the Radio Amateur Satellite
Corporation (AMSAT), the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), the
Center for the Advancement of Science in Space (CASIS) and  National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  The primary goal of
ARISS is to promote exploration of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) topics by organizing scheduled contacts via
amateur radio between crew members aboard the ISS and students in
classrooms or informal education venues.  With the help of
experienced amateur radio volunteers, ISS crews speak directly with
large audiences in a variety of public forums.  Before and during
these radio contacts, students, teachers, parents, and communities
learn about space, space technologies, and amateur radio.  For more
information, see www.ariss.org, www.amsat.org, and www.arrl.org.

Find more information at www.ariss.org, and also www.amsat.organd
www.arrl.org.

[ANS thanks David AA4KN for the above information]

———————————————————————

Satellite DXCC Awarded to K8YSE

Congratulations to John Papay, K8YSE, who has been awarded satellite
DXCC with 101 entities verified. The satellite DXCC standings are
available at http://www.arrl.org/dxcc-standings

While there is no way to be certain, John’s satellite DXCC is likely
the first to be obtained without the use of either HEO satellites or
sub-horizon Mode K propagation since prior to the launch of AO-10 in
1983. Starting on satellites in 2006, John did not even enjoy the
advantage of FO-20’s higher LEO apogee or RS-15’s high LEO orbit in
his quest to work and confirm 100 DXCCs via satellite.This is
certainly a noteworthy achievement!

[ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]

———————————————————————

Special Membership Offer Continues for RadFxSat/AO-91 Launch

AO-91 is open to all and works great! Now is a good time to join
AMSAT and receive a free digital copy of “Getting Started with
Amateur Satellites”!

Visit https://www.amsat.org/product-category/amsat-membership/
and help AMSAT Keep Amateur Radio in Space.

AMSAT is making our “Getting Started With Amateur Satellites”
book available for a limited time as a download with any paid new
or renewal membership purchased via the AMSAT Store. This offer is
only available with purchases completed online, and for only a limited
time. A perennial favorite, Getting Started is updated every year
with the latest amateur satellite information, and is the premier
primer of satellite operation. The 182 page book is presented in PDF
format, in full color, and covers all aspects of making your first
contacts on a ham radio satellite.

Please take advantage of this offer today by visiting the AMSAT store
at https://www.amsat.org/shop/ and selecting any membership option.
While there, check out our other items, including the M2 LEOpack
antenna system, Arrow antennas, AMSAT shirts, and other swag.

Thank you, and see you soon on AO-91!

[ANS thanks Paul N8HM for the above information]

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Donate to AMSAT Tax-Free From Your IRA

Are you over 70-1/2 years of age and need to meet your IRA’s
Required Minimum Distribution for 2017? Consider making a donation to
AMSAT!

Under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015,
individuals over 70-1/2 years of age may make direct transfers of up
to $100,000 per year from a traditional IRA to an eligible charity
without increasing their taxable income. Consult your tax advisor or
accountant to make certain you are eligible.

AMSAT is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational and scientific
organization whose purpose is to design, construct, launch, and
operate satellites in space and to provide the support needed to
encourage amateurs to utilize these resources. AMSAT’s federal tax ID
is 52-0888529.

[ANS thanks the AMSAT Board of Directors for the above information]

———————————————————————

ARISS News

+ A Successful contact was made between Ashbury College, Ottawa,
Ontario, Canada and Astronaut Joe Acaba KE5DAR using Callsign NA1SS.
The contact began 2017-11-27 18:39 UTC  and lasted about nine and a
half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via VK4KHZ.
ARISS Mentor was Steve VE3TBD.

+ A Successful contact was made between Huntley Centennial Public
School, Carp, ON, Canada and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using
Callsign IR0ISS. The contact began 2017-11-28 18:46 UTC  and lasted
about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via IK1SLD.
ARISS Mentor was Steve VE3TBD.

+ A Successful contact was made between S.G.B. De La Salle, Rome,
Italy and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign NA1SS. The
contact began 2017-11-30 08:04 UTC  and lasted about nine and a half
minutes. Contact was Telebridge via W6SRJ.
ARISS Mentor was Francesco  IKØWGF.

+ A Successful contact was made between Istituto Comprensivo Luigi
Nono, Mira, Italy and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign
NA1SS. The contact began 2017-11-30 08:04 UTC  and lasted about nine
and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via W6SRJ.
ARISS Mentor was Gianpietro IZ2GOJ.

+ A Successful contact was made between Bishop Hendricken High
School, Warwick, RI, USA and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using
Callsign IZ0ISS. The contact began 2017-11-30 17:02 UTC and
lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Telebridge via
IK1SLD.
ARISS Mentor was John  K4SQC.

+ A Successful contact was made between School of Telecommunications
and Aerospace Engineering (EETAC), Castelldefels, Spain and
Astronaut Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact
began 2017-12-04 15:10 UTC  and lasted about nine and a half
minutes. Contact was Direct via EG3UPC.
ARISS Mentors were Marcelo IKØUSO primary/ Francesco  IKØWGF backup.

+ A Successful contact was made between Shirokawa Elementary School,
Seiyo, Japan and Astronaut Paolo Nespoli IZØJPA using Callsign
NA1SS. The contact began 2017-12-11 11:06 UTC  and lasted about
nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via 8J5SS.
ARISS Mentor was Satoshi 7M3TJZ.

+ A Successful contact was made between Antietam Elementary School,
Woodbridge, VA, USA and Astronaut Mark Vande Hei KG5GNP using
Callsign NA1SS. The contact began 2017-12-11 18:30 UTC and lasted
about nine and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via KM4TAY.
ARISS Mentor was Dave AA4KN.

+ A Successful contact was made between Summa-Aldapeta, Donostia-San
Sebastián, Spain and Astronaut Joe Acaba KE5DAR using Callsign
OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-12-12 13:01 UTC and lasted about nine
and a half minutes. Contact was Direct via EG2SMA.
ARISS Mentors were Marcelo IKØUSO primary/ Francesco IKØWGF backup.

+ A Successful contact was made between Taipei Municipal Ximen
Elementary School, Taipei, Taiwan  R.O.C. and Astronaut Mark Vande
Hei KG5GNP using Callsign OR4ISS. The contact began 2017-12-21
08:49:07 UTC and lasted about nine and a half minutes. Contact was
Direct via BNØSM.
ARISS Mentor was Satoshi 7M3TJZ.

[ANS thanks ARISS, Charlie AJ9N and David AA4KN for the above
information]

———————————————————————

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ Because of current high interest, here is the link for AMSAT’s
list of Station and Operating hints.
https://www.amsat.org/station-and-operating-hints/

+ FM Satellites: Good Operating Practices for Beginning and
Experienced Operators

Sean Kutzko, KX9X, has written a helpful document explaining good
operating practices for working FM satellites. It’s been posted to
the AMSAT website at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS358-FMSats

A PDF version is also available at
https://tinyurl.com/ANS358-FMSatsPDF

———————————————————————

/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 addi-
tional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT
Office.

Primary and secondary school students are eligible for membership
at one-half the standard yearly rate. Post-secondary school students
enrolled in at least half time status shall be eligible for the stu-
dent rate for a maximum of 6 post-secondary years in this status.
Contact Martha at the AMSAT Office for additional student membership
information.

73,
This week’s ANS Editor,
EMike McCardel, AA8EM
aa8em at amsat dot org
_______________________________________________
Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans