Saturday, December 21, 2019

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-356

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and
information 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://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 dot org.

In this edition:

* SMOG-P and ATL-1 Designated Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106)
* CAMSAT CAS-6 Satellite Launched
* FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band, Invites Comments
* FCC Considers NPRM for 5.9 GHz Band Rules
* Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 19, 2019
* AztechSat-1 CubeSat to Demonstrate Intra-Satellite Communication
* AMSAT CW Day, January 1, 2020 is Just Ahead!
* ESA's OPS-SAT Flying Laboratory Launched
* AMSAT-LU - Dec-15 AMSAT-LU NEMO-1 Buoy Report 
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* ARISS News
* Satellite Shorts from All Over

SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-356.01
ANS-356 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 356.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
December 22, 2019
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-356.01


SMOG-P and ATL-1 Designated Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105) and
Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106)

On December 6, 2019, the Technical University of Budapest SMOG-P and
ATL-1 PocketQubes were launched on an Electron launch vehicle from
the Mahia Launch Complex in New Zealand. SMOG-P and ATL-1 were
developed as part of the university curriculum and operated in
cooperation with the HA5MRC Technical University amateur radio club.
The satellites carry spectrum monitoring payloads and are currently
active.

At the request of the Technical University of Budapest, AMSAT hereby
designates SMOG-P as Magyar-OSCAR 105 (MO-105), and ATL-1 as
Magyar-OSCAR 106 (MO-106). AMSAT congratulates the owners and
operators, thank them for their contribution to the amateur satellite
community, and wish them a long mission and continued success on this
and future projects.

[ANS thanks Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR
Number Administrator for the above information.]

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     Need new satellite antennas? Purchase Arrows, Alaskan Arrows,
    and M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store. When you purchase through
           AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards
                  Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.
        https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/

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CAMSAT CAS-6 Satellite Launched

CAMSAT's amateur radio payload CAS-6 piggybacked on a technology test
satellite TIANQIN-1 was successfully launched on December 20, 2019
at the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center of China using a CZ-4B launch
vehicle. The primary payload of this launch is China-Brazil Earth
Resources Satellite CBERS-4A.  Specifications for the satellite are
as follows:

- Satellite Name: CAS-6/TIANQIN-1
- Orbit type: SSO
- Apogee: 629km
- Inclination: 97.89 degrees
- Period: 97 minutes
- Satellite Architecture: Micro-satellite
- Mass: 35kg
- Stabilization: three-axis stabilization system
- Amateur Radio Call sign: BJ1SO
- VHF Antenna: one 1/4 wavelength monopole antenna
- UHF Antenna: one 1/4 wavelength monopole antenna
- CW Telemetry Beacon: 145.910MHz 17dBm
- AX.25 4.8k Baud GMSK Telemetry: 145.890MHz 20dBm
- U/V Linear Transponder Downlink: 145.925MHz 20dBm
- U/V Linear Transponder Uplink: 435.280MHz
- U/V Linear Transponder Bandwith: 20kHz bandwidth, Inverted

The satellite is currently in orbit testing, the amateur radio
payload is expected to be operational in about three days.

[ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU for the above information.]

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FCC Formally Adopts Proposals to Remove Amateur 3-GHz Band,
Invites Comments

At its December 12 meeting, the FCC formally adopted a Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in WT Docket 19-348 and invited comments
on its plan to remove “existing non-federal secondary radiolocation
and amateur allocations” in the 3.3 – 3.55 GHz band and relocate
incumbent non-federal operations. The FCC said it’s seeking comment
on appropriate “transition mechanisms” to make that happen. ARRL has
indicated that it will file comments in opposition to the proposal.
The amateur 9-meter allocation is 3.3 – 3.5 GHz. The NPRM comes in
response to the MOBILE NOW [Making Opportunities for Broadband
Investment and Limiting Excessive and Needless Obstacles to Wireless]
Act, approved by the 115th Congress to make available new spectrum
for mobile and fixed wireless broadband use.

“By proposing to delete the existing non-federal secondary
allocations from the 3.3 – 3.55 GHz band, we are taking an important
initial step towards satisfying Congress’s directives and making as
much as 250 megahertz of spectrum potentially available for advanced
wireless services, including 5G,” the FCC said in the Introduction to
its NPRM.

Currently, the entire 3.1 – 3.55 GHz band is allocated for both
federal and non-federal radiolocation services, with non-federal
users operating on a secondary basis to federal radiolocation
services, which have a primary allocation, the NPRM explains.

The FCC said it is seeking comment on relocating non-federal
licensees to another band. With respect to amateur operations, the
FCC invited comments on whether sufficient amateur spectrum exists in
other bands that can support the operations currently conducted at
3.3 – 3.5 GHz. The 3.40 – 3.41 GHz segment is earmarked for amateur
satellite communication. “We seek comment on the extent to which the
band is used for this purpose, whether existing satellites can operate

on other amateur satellite bands, and on an appropriate timeframe
for terminating these operations in this band,” the FCC said. If
non-federal licensees are relocated to 3.1 – 3.3 GHz band, the FCC
proposes that they continue to operate on a secondary basis to
federal operations, consistent with current band allocations.

Some comments began to arrive before the FCC formally adopted the
NPRM, as it points out in a footnote. Kevin Milner, KD0MA, the
secretary/treasurer of the Ski Country Amateur Radio Club in
Colorado, has argued that the club’s equipment cannot be re-channeled
below 3.4 GHz, and the club is seeking relocation costs. Devin
Ulibarri, W7ND, told the FCC that amateur networks in the current
band cannot move easily into other amateur allocations because there
is no readily available commercial equipment to support the
bandwidth, the FCC recounted.

In the event the proposed amendments are adopted, the FCC “seeks
comment on relocation options and on transition and protection
mechanisms for incumbent non-federal operations.”

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]

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    AMSAT, along with our ARISS partners, is developing an amateur
    radio package, including two-way communication capability, to
          be carried on-board Gateway in lunar orbit.
   Support AMSAT's projects today at https://www.amsat.org/donate/

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FCC Considers NPRM for 5.9 GHz Band Rules

Also at its December 12 meeting, the FCC considered another NPRM in
WT Docket 19-138 that would “take a fresh and comprehensive look” at
the rules for the 5.9 GHz band and propose, among other things, to
make the lower 45 MHz of the band available for unlicensed operations
and to permit “cellular vehicle-to-everything” (C-V2X) operations in
the upper 20 MHz of the band. The FCC is not proposing to delete or
otherwise amend the amateur allocation, which would continue as a
secondary allocation.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Data Network (AREDN) has offered its
voice in challenging the FCC proposals on the two bands, saying their
adoption would “eliminate our use of the most-effective resource hams
have to build its networks.”

“The AREDN Project is able to leverage low-cost commercial devices
solely because they are designed to operate on adjacent allocations,”
AREDN said on its website. “Moving to other allocations would be
difficult if not impossible without a complete redesign, manufacture,
purchase, and installation of new custom amateur hardware and
software…, raising the price out of reach for the typical ham.”

Interested parties may file short comments on WT Docket 19-348 via
the FCC’s Electronic Comment Filing Service (Express). Visit the FCC
“How to Comment on FCC Proceedings” page for information on filing
extended comments.

[ANS thanks the ARRL for the above information.]

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Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for December 19, 2019

The following Amateur Radio satellites have been added to this
week's TLE distribution:

ATL 1 - NORAD CAT ID 44830 (Rocket Lab launch, 12/06/2019).
TRSI-Sat - NORAD CAT ID 44831 (Rocket Lab launch, 12/06/2019).
Duchifat 3 - NORAD CAT ID 44854 (ISRO launch, 12/11/2019).
OPS-SAT - NORAD CAT ID 44878 (ESA launch, 12/18/2019).

Thanks to Nico Janseen, PA0DLO, for satellite identifications.

Note:
1. Duchifat 3 is being used as the TLE name. Duchifat 3 is the name
used by the students who built it, per the university website.
2. TRSI-Sat is not transmitting at the present time.  TLEs will be
provided until it is determined that it has failed.

[ANS thanks Ray Hoad, WA5QGD, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for
the above information.]


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AztechSat-1 CubeSat to Demonstrate Intra-Satellite Communication

The AztechSat-1 CubeSat, which traveled to the International Space
Station (ISS) last weekend on the 19th Space-X Commercial Resupply
Services (CRS-19) mission for NASA, will listen for emergency
messages in the 439 MHz range and retransmit them for amateur radio
operators to copy on the 437.300 MHz downlink using the Winlink
protocol, once the CubeSat has been placed into orbit. The satellite
is a project of Mexico's Universidad Popular Autónoma del Estado de
Puebla (UPAEP).  Aztechsat-1 is set for deployment from the
International Space Station in late January.

"The primary objective of the project is to establish communication
with the commercial GlobalStar satellites in order to improve data
transmission to Earth," a UPAEP news release said. AztechSat-1 will
create a saturation map of 435 - 438 MHz by listening for the whole
orbit and returning captured data to the ground station on the
437.300 MHz amateur radio downlink (9k6 GMSK or FSK) plus a 1600-MHz
Global-Star link. Emergency messages received via Globalstar to the
AztechSat-1 ground station will be shared on the project's website.

A certificate will be available for amateur stations receiving the
emergency message(s) and reporting these for confirmation by the
AztechSat-1 team.

Details are on the AztechSat-1 website and on the IARU Amateur Radio
Satellite Communication page.

The project is part of NASA's CubeSat Launch Initiative, which
offers universities, high schools and non-profit organizations the
opportunity to fly small satellites. "Innovative technology
partnerships keep down the cost, providing students a way to obtain
hands-on experience developing flight hardware," a NASA report said.

NASA explained, "The investigation demonstrates communication within
a satellite network in low-Earth orbit. Such intra-satellite
communication could reduce the need for ground stations, lowering
the cost and increasing the number of data downloads possible for
satellite applications."

[ANS thanks ARRL for the above information.]

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           Purchase AMSAT Gear on our Zazzle storefront.
          25% of the purchase price of each product goes
            towards Keeping Amateur Radio in Space
              https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear

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AMSAT CW Day, January 1, 2020 is Just Ahead!

You are cordially invited to  take part in AMSAT CW Activity Day 2020
sponsored by AMSAT for all radio amateurs throughout the world. The
2020 event will be held in memory of  Larry Brown, W7LB, and
Keith Pugh, W5IU.  Among their many contributions to AMSAT, they were
the AMSAT 20-meter net for many years.

Participation is easy.  Just operate CW through any Amateur Radio
satellite on 1 January 2020.  Use of straight keys or bugs is
encouraged but not required.  If you use AO-7, please observe the QRP
rules currently in effect for that 45-year-old satellite.  May it be
with us for many years to come!

[ANS thanks Raphael Soifer, W2RS, AMSAT Senior Advisor for the
above information.]
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ESA's OPS-SAT Flying Laboratory Launched

On December 18 2019 ESA launched a first-of-its-kind space laboratory,

OPS-SAT.  The satellite lifted off from Europe's Spaceport in Kourou,
French Guiana aboard a Soyuz-Fregat rocket.  The small, low-cost,
test satellite has been specifically designed for operational
experimentation in space, and includes the most powerful flight
computer on-board any current ESA spacecraft.

Consumer electronics have gone through a revolution over the last 30
years with computers becoming ever faster, smaller and better. But
when it comes to million- or even billion-euro satellites, their
on-board hardware and software have not seen this revolution due to
the risk of testing new technology in flight.

As spacecraft managers dare to fly only tried-and-tested hard and
software in the harsh conditions of space, innovation on the
operational side of satellites is a very slow-moving process. This is
where OPS-SAT steps in, bringing down the barriers to spacecraft
operations it provides a chance to safely test out new mission
control techniques.

Anyone can apply to become an 'experimenter' and test their
innovative software and new mission operations techniques in space.
OP-SAT provides technology for future missions and paves the way for
satellites to further evolve with minimum risk. Complete information
is available at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-356-OPS-SAT.

[ANS thanks the European Space Agency for the above information.]

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AMSAT-LU - Dec-15 AMSAT-LU NEMO-1 Buoy Report

On Tuesday 10-Dec at 5AM in the Port of Mar del Plata, Argentina, an
AMSAT-LU team started the Buoy NEMO-1 operation.

There were LU1ESY and LU3ATZ (land-sea communications), and embarked
on the ship 'Porteño' LU1DCX, LU2AOP, LU6EI and LU4BMG. Photo:
http://amsat.org.ar/nemolanz.jpg

Communications were made thru the 'Repelata' (RepeCan), an effective
FM VU repeater made by LU9ATJ, that was raised at 450m height by a
captive balloon on the coast.

El Porteño sailed 70 km offshore, finding severe sea conditions and
impressive waves. However, NEMO-1 was active and between 0800 and
0900 hours there were WSPR reports from 14 stations around the world.

LU3DEI W4DZC LU1KCQ OE5FGL DP0GVN PY1EME PY2GN ZL1RS ZL1ROT DK8FT
OE9GHV DK0ABT IW2NKE ZL2005.

Later, a ship maneuver, hit the buoy damaging one of the solar
panels. The AMSAT team, helped by ship personnel, recovered the buoy
and boarded it on board. After checking the damage, it was decided
to abort the mission.

NEMO-1 returned home and is in Buenos Aires for repairs, spare parts
and reinforcements.

Conversations have already been established in Mar del Plata to,
once the work is finished, repeat and conclude this adventure.

AMSAT thanks the 'NEMO Group', the more than 119 people who helped
realize this dream http://amsat.org.ar/certboyae.htm and the
Menendez Beety family, who selflessly facilitated accommodation in
their house in Mar del Plata.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-LU for the above information.]

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Upcoming Satellite Operations

Shorts:
- Dec 27-30  EM90 N4DCW – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
- Dec 27-30 EL86 K4WPX FM
- Dec 30  EM94 (overnight) – vacation style (Twitter: @MWimages)
- Dec 30-Jan 01 EL87/88 K4WPX FM

- PNW (CN90, CM99, DM09, DN00, DN10, DN20, DN22, DN13, DN23)
December 20-23, 2019
Casey, KI7UNJ, is about to embark on 9-grid roving trip through the
Pacific Northwest.  FM & Linears.  Pass schedules posted at
https://twitter.com/KI7UNJ/status/1206626476377772032?s=20.  Be sure
to watch Casey’s Twitter feed for further updates.

- Hawaii (BK19, BK28, BK29, BL20) December 21-28, 2019
Alex, N7AGF, is heading back to Hawaii over Christmas. This will be a
holiday-style activation, with special emphasis on the grid that got
away – BK28. Keep an eye on Alex’s Twitter feed for further
announcements: https://twitter.com/N7AGF

- NW Iowa XMAS Rove (EN12, EN13, EN22, EN23) December 23-24, 2019
Mitch, AD0HJ, will be visiting his parents in Iowa for Christmas. 
While there, Mitch will take an extra day to put some Northwest Iowa
grids on the air.  For a full pass schedule, check
https://twitter.com/AD0HJ/status/1207099665465978880.  As always,
keep an eye on Mitch’s Twitter feed for further announcements at
https://twitter.com/AD0HJ

- Mississippi River Delta (EL58) January 4, 2019.
Ron AD0DX, Brian KG5GJT, and Robert KE4AL will operate as W5M/mm from
the mouth of the Mississippi River (EL58) on January 4th. This will
be a 6-hour activation from approximately 1430z to 2030z, on FM and
linear satellites.  Further information will be posted as it comes
available.

- Labrador (GO11 +) January 19-27, 2019
Chris VE3FU, Dave VE9CB, and Frank VO1HP will be active as VO2AC in
the 2020 CQ160 CW contest, January 24-26, from Point Armour
Lighthouse, in Labrador. If time permits before the contest, they may
be active on FM satellites from GO11 as VO2AC or VO2AAA. Depending
on weather and timing of passes, you might catch them on FM
satellites as they make their way from FO93 to GO-11, passing through
FO92, GO02, GO13, GO12, and GO22 along the way, but no promises. They
will also make the reverse trek on January 27.

- Big Bend National Park (DL88)  March 16-17, 2020
Ron AD0DX, Doug N6UA, and Josh W3ARD will operate from Big Bend
National Park to put grid DL88 on the air.  Details will be added
here, as they come available, but you are more than welcome to keep
an eye on their individual Twitter feeds:  https://twitter.com/ad0dx,
https://twitter.com/dtabor, and https://twitter.com/W3ARDstroke5

Please submit any additions or corrections to ke4al (at) amsat.org

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL for the above information.]

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ARISS News

No school contacts will be scheduled until 2020.

[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N  for the above information.]

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Shorts from All Over

* Your AmazonSmile Purchases Matter!

AMSAT recently received a quarterly donation of $369.69 thanks to
customers shopping at smile.amazon.com.  To date, AmazonSmile has
donated a total of $4,563.90 to AMSAT.

The next time you buy that new radio, toaster, socks, or anything for
that matter, make sure you've name AMSAT at the beneficiary for your
AmazonSmile purchases!


[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, AMSAT Executive Vice President for the
above information.]

* Ham Radio Day Aboard the Queen Mary May 2019 Pictures Online

In case you didn't work W6RO aboard the Queen Mary in Long Island,
California, you can still see pictures of the day's festivities on
the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach Facebook page.  Enjoy the
fun at https://tinyurl.com/ANS-356-W6RO

[ANS thanks the Associated Radio Amateurs of Long Beach for the
above information.]

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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.

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
student rate for a maximum of six post-secondary years in this
status.

Contact Martha at the AMSAT office for additional student
membership information.

73,
This week's ANS Editor,
Frank Karnauskas, N1UW
n1uw at amsat dot org

Sent via AMSAT-BB@amsat.org. AMSAT-NA makes this open forum
available to all interested persons worldwide without requiring
membership. Opinions expressed are solely those of the author
and do not reflect the official views of AMSAT-NA.

Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite
program!

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