Friday, April 24, 2020

Iranian Military Satellite Monitored



9k6 packets from unknown satellite in GQRX

Late this afternoon Scott Chapman (K4KDR) in Virginia announced on his twitter feed @scott23192 that he has found a downlink for the new Iranian Noor-1 military satellite.

From Scott's feed; "New Iranian milsat 'NOOR' -or- 'NOUR 01' #45529 (or object in VERY similar orbit) 401.499 MHz 9k6 FSK 1156utc USA-East. Seen last night & again on 78° pass today. Can someone please verify, or ID alternative downlink source? Packet & STRF data.

I queried Scott about is setup and he passed along the following:
"The signals were recorded in GQRX (linux) from an Airspy-R2 & converted to an IQ .wav file for easier replay & decode w/ UZ7HO_HS-Soundmodem on a Windows PC.  The doppler comparison app is 'STRF' from @cgbassa  https://destevez.net/2019/01/an-strf-crash-course/."
Just minutes ago spacecomm @SQ5KTM, verified Scott's intercept.
"NOOR perfect match with 45529 object's TLE and strong signal here! Some decoding also performed. I've record baseband IQ and audio to share."

According to Internet reports, this is a 6U Cubeset.

Latest TLE set for Noor-1

1 45529U 20024A   20115.81744424  .00004409  00000-0  10000-3 0  9997
2 45529  59.8115 161.0895 0007286 233.4260 240.6077 15.45014789   403



Long-Lost U.S. Military Satellite Found By Amateur Radio Operator

There are more than 2,000 active satellites orbiting Earth. At the end of their useful lives, many will simply burn up as they reenter the atmosphere. But some will continue circling as "zombie" satellites — neither alive nor quite dead.
"Most zombie satellites are satellites that are no longer under human control, or have failed to some degree," says Scott Tilley.
Tilley, an amateur radio operator living in Canada, has a passion for hunting them down.
Rest of the story at https://www.npr.org/2020/04/24/843493304/long-lost-u-s-military-satellite-found-by-amateur-radio-operator

Thursday, April 23, 2020

ARLD017 DX news

DX Bulletin 17  ARLD017
From ARRL Headquarters 
Newington CT  April 23, 2020
To all radio amateurs  

SB DX ARL ARLD017
ARLD017 DX news

This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by
The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, 425 DX News, DXNL, Contest Corral
from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.  Thanks
to all.

CAMBODIA, XU.  Chenxing, BG9XD is active as XU7AMG from Phnom Penh
until June 14.  Activity is on 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using
CW, SSB and RTTY.  QSL via BG9XD direct.

AZERBAIJAN, 4J0/4K0.  Members of the Federation of Radiosport have
activated two special event stations, 4J0STAYHOME and 4K0STAYHOME,
during the COVID-19 crisis.  The length of the activity was not
mentioned.  QSL to DC9RI via DARC or direct.

MOROCCO, CN20.  A group of operators will be using the COVID-19
Awareness special event call sign CN20SH until April 30.  QSL via
RW6HS.

NORTHERN IRELAND, GB1.  Stevie, MI0GTA has activated special event
station GB1SOS from Co Derry until May 11.  Activity is to thank all
health care workers who put their lives at risk every day during the
pandemic crisis.  Operations will be on 20 to 10 meters using SSB.
See QRZ.com for QSL details.

PERU, OA7.  Yuri, N3QQ will be active as OA7/N3QQ from Machu Picchu
from August 6 to 12.  Activity will be holiday style on various HF
bands.  QSL via N7RO.

GREECE, SZ3.  Members of the Association of Radio Amateurs of the
Western Peloponnese (ERDYP) are active as SZ3STAYHOME during this
health crisis.  QSL via LoTW, e-QSL or QRZ.com.

UNITED STATES, W2.  Look for special event station W2H to be
operating during its inaugural year in honor of World Pulmonary
Hypertension Day 2020 on May 5.  They will be QRV on 80, 40 and 20
meters using SSB, FT8/FT4 as well as other bands and modes as
conditions permit.  Check the QRZ.com page for a more detailed
operating schedule.

EASTER ISLAND, XR0.  Hans-Martin, DK2HM will be QRV as XR0YHM from
August 27 to September 7.  Activity will be holiday style on 80 to
10 meters using SSB and the digital modes.  QSL via DK2HM, direct,
by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS, eQSL or LoTW.

BRAZIL, ZW8.  Special event call sign ZW8THANKS is a tribute to
health care professionals fighting COVID-19.  Activity will be on
all bands and modes including the satellites.  QSL via direct, eQSL
or LoTW.

SOUTH KOREA, HL.  South Korea celebrates the 40th anniversary of the
May 18 Democratic Uprising with special event station D73M.
Activity will be on all bands and modes from May 1 to 31.  QSL via
HL4CCM.

CANADA, VE.  For the next two months Ian, VO2IR will be operating
with special call CH2IR to remind all of the COVID-19 pandemic and
friendly reminder to stay home.  Also, XN1BOA will be operated by
members of the Grassroots HAM Radio Club, commemorating the end of
the Battle of the Atlantic 75 years ago.  Look for them from April
25 to May 15.

CROATIA, 9A.  Members of the Hrvatski radioamaterski Savez are
celebrating World Amateur Radio Day with special call sign 9A20WARD
until April 30.  QSL via LoTW and eQSL.

ENGLAND, G.  Members of the Bury Radio Society urge everyone to
"Wash Your Hands".  They are using the call sign GB9WYH until May 11
on SSB, FM, FT4, FT8 and CW.

HUNGARY, HA.  The following special event calls will be active until
May 15:  HG20ST, HG20AY, HG20AT, HG20HO, and HG20ME.  QSL via bureau
or LoTW.

AUSTRIA, OE.  The Documentary Archive for the History of Radio
Communication and Electronic Media special event station OE20M marks
Marconi's birthday from April 24 to 26.  QSL via bureau to OE1WHC or
direct.

STAY AT HOME.  More COVID-19 special event call signs include
4J0STAYHOME, 4K0STAYHOME, 8C2WFH, CB3SH, CN20SH, CV7STAYHOME, II9SH,
OE1STAYHOME, OP2STAYHOME, OR20STAYHOME, OR8STAYHOME, OS0STAYHOME,
YO19STAYHOME, Z60STAYHOME and ZW8THANKS.

BRUNEI, V8.  Members of the Brunei Darussalam Amateur Radio
Association are celebrating World Amateur Radio Day with the call
sign V84SAR until May 2 on HF using SSB, CW and digital modes.  QSL
via direct with the info at QRZ.COM.

AUSTRALIA, VK.  The Wireless Institute of Australia celebrates its
110th anniversary and World Amateur Radio Day with the following
call signs over the next six months:  VK1WIA, VK2WIA, VK3WIA,
VK4WIA, VK5WIA, VK6WIA, VK7WIA, VK8WIA and VI110WIA.  QSL via LoTW,
eQSL.

THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO.  The 10-10 International Spring Contest,
Digital, SP DX RTTY Contest, Helvetia Contest, Florida QSO Party and
the BARTG Sprint 75 are all on tap for this weekend.  The QCX
Challenge is on April 27 and the UKEICC 80 Meter Contest is on April
29.  Please see April 2020 QST, page 71 and the ARRL and WA7BNM
Contest Web Sites for details.
NNNN
/EX

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Korean Central TV Broadcast Schedule

Logo of the Korean Central Television.svg




The following is a typical daily broadcast schedule for the North Korean Central Television Service. Schedule courtesy of Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_Central_Television). All times are Pyongyang Time (PYT) which is 9 hours ahead of UTC. Livestream can be seen online at https://kcnawatch.org/korea-central-tv-livestream/.

Broadcast time Broadcast programs
Note: This schedule has been known to vary depending on the day of the week, this day in NOKO history and current events.

Welcome to KCTV at 14:30 Pyongyang Time

14:30-15:00 Highly modified version of the Philips PM5544 (4:3), Philips PM5644 (16:9), Test Pattern with digital clock and multiple elements including color bars, resolution grids and other markings (the audio is music – usually classical or patriotic – and clock ident with the 8-note chime of "Song of General Kim Il-sung" as time signal)

15:00-15:10 National anthem, introduction announcement, "Song of General Kim Il-sung" (instrumental version) & "Song of General Kim Jong-il" (instrumental version), television listings

15:10-16:20 Special events recap

16:20-17:00 Documentary specials

17:00-17:20 Afternoon News ("Report", 보도 –Bodo–)

17:20-17:25 Press Review (오늘호 중앙신문개관)

17:30-18:00 Children's Broadcast time (cartoons, anecdotes of Kim Il-sung, Kim Jong-il, etc.)

18:00-18:15 Law enforcement show

18:15-18:35 Military show (chorus, parade, exercises, etc.); also includes the military comedy show It's So Funny

18:35-19:00 Sports

19:00-19:25 The evening news ("Report", 보도 –Bodo–)

19:25-19:30 Weather forecast

19:30-20:00 Sitcom (usually revolutionary or daily life themed TV series)

20:00-20:40 Drama show

20:50-22:20 Feature Film

22:20-22:25 The late-night news ("Among the Report today", 오늘의 보도중에서  –Oneul'ui Bodojeung'eseo–)

22:25-22:30 Weather forecast

22:30-22:35 Music videos

22:35-22:40 TV listings for tomorrow, sign-off announcement, National Flag and music 빛나는 조국 ("Our Shining Country")

22:40-14:30 Off the air. 8-bar Test Pattern with 1 kHz tone (tone but still black screen starts about 1.5 minutes after black screen start and lasts about 10 seconds at which point RF signal is completely cut; RF transmission begins again 21 minutes later the content of this transmission is bars+tone; bars without tone starts 1.25 minutes before the beginning of next program cycle)

We are watching the current KJU situation in North Korea very close and will provide updates via our company twitter feeds.


ARLK032 Keplerian data

Keplerian Bulletin 32  ARLK032
From ARRL Headquarters
Newington, CT  April 21, 2020
To all radio amateurs

SB KEP ARL ARLK032
ARLK032 Keplerian data

Special thanks to AMSAT-NA (AMSAT.ORG) for the following Keplerian
data.

Decode 2-line elsets with the following key:
1 AAAAAU 00  0  0 BBBBB.BBBBBBBB  .CCCCCCCC  00000-0  00000-0 0  DDDZ
2 AAAAA EEE.EEEE FFF.FFFF GGGGGGG HHH.HHHH III.IIII JJ.JJJJJJJJKKKKKZ
KEY: A-CATALOGNUM B-EPOCHTIME C-DECAY D-ELSETNUM E-INCLINATION F-RAAN
G-ECCENTRICITY H-ARGPERIGEE I-MNANOM J-MNMOTION K-ORBITNUM Z-CHECKSUM

0 AO-07
1 7530U 74089B   20111.86098024 -.00000046 +00000-0 -79091-5 0  9998
2 7530 101.7947 081.9359 0012527 113.9507 300.9168 12.53643087078779
0 FO-29
1 24278U 96046B   20112.23148313 -.00000054 +00000-0 -19818-4 0  9991
2 24278 098.5754 229.5806 0350784 162.8831 198.4500 13.53097739169146
0 ISS
1 25544U 98067A   20111.96378727 -.00000842  00000-0 -70326-5 0  9993
2 25544  51.6433 271.6869 0001949 168.2706 335.1409 15.49293522223145
0 SO-50
1 27607U 02058C   20112.16917167 +.00000010 +00000-0 +22084-4 0  9992
2 27607 064.5552 189.5109 0055211 192.3760 167.5990 14.75626974932277
0 CO-55
1 27844U 03031E   20112.23650571 +.00000056 +00000-0 +44746-4 0  9997
2 27844 098.6837 120.8312 0009128 215.3687 144.6886 14.22232590871965
0 RS-22
1 27939U 03042A   20112.15504387  .00000036  00000-0  15049-4 0  9990
2 27939  98.0793 247.7661 0013374 169.0193 191.1314 14.66852042885614
0 RS-30
1 32953U 08025A   20112.01211512  .00000037  00000-0  19437-3 0  9993
2 32953  82.5011 313.6384 0019055 176.9101 183.2101 12.43095105540492
0 KKS-1
1 33499U 09002H   20112.21660321 +.00000105 +00000-0 +23440-4 0  9999
2 33499 098.3243 325.3355 0008150 313.6208 046.4324 14.75522273604148
0 AO-71
1 37854U 11061E   20111.41172252 +.00000592 +00000-0 +37923-4 0  9999
2 37854 101.7022 172.7284 0158641 234.3332 124.3025 15.07140501462731
0 AO-73
1 39444U 13066AE  20111.97729797 +.00000297 +00000-0 +42551-4 0  9991
2 39444 097.5597 115.3976 0059583 098.6327 262.1644 14.82099990345441
0 UKUBE 1
1 40074U 14037F   20112.06428080  .00000258  00000-0  37990-4 0  9991
2 40074  98.4562 296.9849 0003757 319.5819  40.5110 14.84235088313243
0 XW-2A
1 40903U 15049E   20112.16658192 +.00001926 +00000-0 +45693-4 0  9998
2 40903 097.2945 161.0640 0014845 108.0110 283.6390 15.42888645257641
0 XW-2F
1 40910U 15049M   20112.54288542  .00001075  00000-0  56363-4 0  9997
2 40910  97.4693 116.9204 0013888 192.4375 286.0229 15.17842549253708
0 XW-2B
1 40911U 15049N   20112.53879391  .00000848  00000-0  47324-4 0  9999
2 40911  97.4760 115.1213 0012995 203.3196 275.6198 15.16166059253541
0 IO-86
1 40931U 15052B   20111.12793759  .00000420  00000-0 -30534-4 0  9994
2 40931   5.9989  31.2669 0012410 176.3217 183.7631 14.76630523246627
0 CAS-4B
1 42759U 17034B   20112.13698325  .00000116  00000-0  20567-4 0  9997
2 42759  43.0206 341.9614 0011194  22.8751 115.6354 15.09793106157305
0 CAS-4A
1 42761U 17034D   20112.08201138  .00000149  00000-0  22508-4 0  9999
2 42761  43.0199 341.5999 0011691  24.0862 102.1421 15.09871616157297
0 AO-91
1 43017U 17073E   20111.74357567  .00000325  00000-0  31263-4 0  9991
2 43017  97.7251  26.2026 0255833 238.2360 119.3698 14.78885819130635
0 AO-92
1 43137U 18004AC  20112.16668293 +.00001035 +00000-0 +45677-4 0  9990
2 43137 097.4492 183.7077 0007557 253.9699 106.0706 15.24015374126321

Keplerian bulletins are transmitted twice weekly from W1AW.  The
next scheduled transmission of these data will be Friday, April 24,
2020, at 2230z on Baudot and BPSK31.
NNNN
/EX

Monday, April 20, 2020

Weather Satellite Status Report - 20 April 2020

WEATHER SATELLITES
===============
POLAR APT, DIGITAL and GEOSTATIONARY WEEKLY STATUS.
==============================================

Author : Douglas S Deans
E-mail : gm4vzy@googlemail.com
Twitter : Douglas Deans @GM4VZY

PLEASE NOTE MY NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR ALL USE.
STAY WELL EVERYONE.

There are no updates.

SECTION 1: POLAR APT/LRPT REPORT – 20th April 2020.
===============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite Frequency (MHz) Status Image Quality

NOAA 15 137.620 (APT) on periods of synch problems
NOAA 18 137.9125 (APT) on good
NOAA 19 137.100 (APT) on good
Metop-A 137.100 (LRPT) off see Note 1
Metop-B No LRPT service
Metop-C No LRPT service
Meteor M N2 137.100 (LRPT) on
QPSK, 72k
Meteor M N2-2 137.900 (LRPT) off (see Note 7).
OQPSK, 72k

NOTES.
1. Metop-A's A-side LRPT transmitter has failed. Currently the redundant
B-side transmitter is off until further notice (No further service
expected due to interference with HIRS instrument).

2. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd May 2007.

3. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

4. NOAA 17 was decommissioned on 10th April 2013.

5. NOAA 16 was decommissioned on 9th June 2014.

6. Elements are available from :-
http://www.space-track.org and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

7. Meteor M N2-2 has likely been hit by a micro-meteorite. It has
changed orbit and been de-pressurised. Although under control again
the thermal balance is an issue and main problems are overheating of
the batteries which keep switching to backup. LRPT transmitter cannot
operate under those arrangements and is off permanently.

LAUNCHES.
None expected.


SECTION 2: POLAR HRPT/AHRPT REPORT – 20th April 2020.
=================================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.

Satellite Frequency Antenna Mode Image Quality
(MHz)
NOAA 15 1702.5 Omni HRPT Weak(periods of problems)
NOAA 18 1707.0 RHCP HRPT Good
NOAA 19 1698.0 RHCP HRPT Good
Feng Yun 3A 1704.5 RHCP see note 6.
Feng Yun 3B 1704.5 RHCP see note 6.
Feng Yun 3C 1701.4 RHCP see note 9.
Metop-A 1701.3 RHCP AHRPT Good (note 5)
Metop-B 1701.3 RHCP AHRPT Good.
Metop-C 1701.3 RHCP AHRPT
Meteor M N2 1700.0 see Note 7.
Meteor M N2-2 1700.0 see note 7 and 10 on
NPP see Note 8.
NOAA 20 see Note 8.

NOTES.

1. NOAA 14 was decommissioned on 23rd June 2007.

2. NOAA 12 was decommissioned on 10th August 2007.

3. NOAA 17 was decommissioned on 10th April 2013.

4. NOAA 16 was decommissioned on 9th June 2014.

5. On 25 May 2009, Eumetsat extended the coverage of the Advanced High
Resolution Picture Transmission (AHRPT) system on Eumetsat's Metop-A
polar-orbiting satellite. The improved service provides additional
coverage over the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean regions.

6. I am also grateful to Dave Wright of Dartcom for confirming that
unfortunately (as usual) the Chinese have not strictly complied with
the CGMS AHRPT Global Standard so reception using a standard Metop
AHRPT receiver is not possible.
Update: The second in the series, Feng Yun 3B was launched on
4th November 2010. I expect the information above for 3A will
equally apply to 3B.
My thanks to Johnny Lin for drawing this to my attention.

7. It appears that Meteor M N2 and M N2-2 are neither using full HRPT or
AHRPT and cannot be received using standard receivers. Please see
other mails for further explanation :-
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/weather-satellite-report/message/
2098.

8. As those weather satellites have no S-band transmitter, they are
included for information only.

9. I am grateful to David Wright of Dartcom (http://www.dartcom.co.uk)
for providing up to date information for Feng Yun 3C.
Now fully operational but the Chinese have changed the data rate
compared to FY-3A and FY-3C DB downlink data rate is 3.9 Mbps after RS
Encoding.
Frequency is also different - it is on 1701.3 MHz same frequency as
Metop A/B. It still requires a special AHRPT receiver like FY-3A/B.
They have also changed the polarisation of the X-band downlink to
LHCP.

10. Meteor M N2-2 has likely been hit by a micro-meteorite. It has
changed orbit and been de-pressurised. Although under control again
the thermal balance is an issue and main problems are overheating of
the batteries which keep switching to backup. AHRPT is on when
spacecraft (solar panels) are illuminated.

LAUNCHES.
None expected.


SECTION 3: GEOSTATIONARY REPORT – 20th April 2020.
==============================================
CHANGES SINCE LAST REPORT.
None.

THIS WEEK'S POSSIBLE EVENTS.
None expected.


Europe & Africa
------------------
Satellite : Meteosat 9 (3.5° E).
Data : HRIT and LRIT(digital).
Operational : Hot FES standby. No LRIT.

Satellite : Meteosat 10 (9.5°E).
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : Yes. Prime RSS satellite. No LRIT.

Satellite : Meteosat 11 (0°).
Data : HRIT and LRIT(digital).
Operational : Yes Prime 0° FES satellite. No LRIT.

North America
----------------
East.
Satellite : GOES 16 (75.2° W).
Data : GRB - 1686.6 MHz.
HRIT - 1694.1 MHz.
Operational: yes.

West.
Satellite : GOES 17 (137.2° W).
Data: GRB - 1686.6MHz.
HRIT: - 1694.1MHz.
Operational: Yes.

Satellite : GOES 15 (128° W).
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational : Yes.(In parallel with GOES 17).

Satellite : GOES 14 (105°W).
Data : GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational: Standby.

Satellite : GOES 13 (60° W).
Data: GVAR (digital) - 1685.7 MHz
LRIT (digital) - 1691 MHz
Operational: No. In storage.

Asia (Russian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------------

Satellite : ELECTRO-L (14.5°W)
Data : HRIT/LRIT.
Operational : No

Satellite : ELECTRO-L2 (78° E)
Data : HRIT/LRIT.
Operational : Yes.

Satellite : ELECTRO-L3 (165.8° E)
Data : HRIT/LRIT.
Operational : No. Commissioning

Asia (European Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------
Satellite : Meteosat 8 (41.5°E).
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital).
Operational : Yes. Operating IODC.
There is no direct readout LRIT.

Asia (Indian Operated Satellite)
--------------------------------
Satellite: Insat 3D (82° E).
Data : HRIT/LRIT 4781 MHz
Sounder 4798 MHz.
Operational : Yes.

Satellite: Insat 3DR (74° E).
Data : HRIT/LRIT 4781 MHz.
Sounder 4798 MHz.
Operational : Yes.

Asia (Korean Operated Satellite)
-----------------------------------
Satellite : COMS (128.2° E)
Data : HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : No. Standby

Satellite : GEO-KOMPSAT-2A. (128.2° E)
Data : HRIT (digital) - 1695.4 MHz.
LRIT (digital) - 1692.14 MHz
UHRIT (digital) - 8070 Mhz (DVB-S2)
Operational : Yes.

Asia & Oceania (Japanese Operated Satellites)
------------------------------------------------
Satellite : MTSAT-1R (140° E) (note 4.)
Data : HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz.
LRIT(digital) - 1691 MHz.(Note 5.)
Operational : No.

Satellite : MTSAT-2 (145° E).
Data : HRIT (digital) - 1687.1 MHz
LRIT(digital) - 1691 MHz.
Operational : Yes

Satellite : Himawari 8 (140.7° E).
Data : No direct dissemination.
Satellite downlink only on
18.1 - 18.4 GHz (raw).
Data only available via HimawariCast service.
Operational : Yes.

Satellite : Himawari 9 (140.7° E).
Data : No direct dissemination.
Satellite downlink only on
18.1 - 18.4 GHz (raw).
Data only available via HimawariCast service.
Operational : No. Standby (expected operational 2022).

Asia & Oceania (Chinese Operated Satellites)
----------------------------------------------------
Satellite : Feng Yun 2E (86.5°E).
Data : SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational : No.

Satellite: Feng Yun 2F (112.5° E).
Data: SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital).
Operational: Standby but used for regional scanning.

Satellite: Feng Yun 2G (99.5° E).
Data: SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital).
Operational: Yes. (from 16/04/18 09.00 UTC).

Satellite: Feng Yun 2H (79° E)
Data: SVISSR (digital) and LRIT (digital)
Operational: Yes.

Satellite: Feng Yun 4A (99.5° E).
Data: HRIT (digital) and LRIT (digital).
Operational : Yes.

NOTES.

1. Meteosat 7 stopped its 0° service at 09.00 UTC on 14th June 2006.

2. Insat 3A is a combined data and meteorological satellite.

3. For those interested in EMWIN data, the following sats/frequencies
apply.

GOES 15 (128° W) 1692.7 MHz
GOES 16 (75.2° W) 1694.1 MHz
GOES 17 (137.2° W) 1694.1 MHz

For further info. there are many sources but the following is
informative:-
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/emwin/winsat.htm

4.This satellite is also known as HIMAWARI 6.

5.HiRID and WEFAX was discontinued on 12th March 2008. It was replaced
with HRIT/LRIT (after many months of dual dissemination).

6.GOES-12 was decommissioned on 16th August 2013.

LAUNCHES.
None expected.

NOTES.
1. Reports for all sections should be sent to :-
Douglas Deans. gm4vzy@googlemail.com

GENERAL
=======
For further weather satellite related information join GEO, Group for
Earth Observation. See :- http://www.geo-web.org.uk/

To download element sets for all satellites visit the following sites :
http://www.space-track.org and
http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/

For further information about Eumetsat's Eumetcast service please see :-
https://www.eumetsat.int/website/home/Data/DataDelivery/EUMETCast/index.html

And service notifications are here :-
https://uns.eumetsat.int/

Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin No. 1461

The Ohio/Penn DX PacketCluster
DX Bulletin No. 1461
BID: $OPDX.1461
April 20, 2020
Editor Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW
Provided by BARF80.ORG (Cleveland, Ohio)
Written/Send From Strongsville, Ohio

Thanks to the Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society, Northern Ohio DX
Association, Ohio/Penn PacketCluster Network, the AB5K's AR Cluster
Networks, NJ1Q & W1AW, K2JSS, W2VU, NG3K & ADXO, W3UR & The Daily DX,
K8YSE, W8GEX & 60m DX News, K9IL, DL1SBF, DL7UXG & The DX News Letter,
DU1EV, DXNews.com, DX-World.Net, EY8MM, F6AJA & Les Nouvelles DX, HP3AK,
I1JQJ/IK1ADH & 425 DX News, LA4LN/LN1V, RN3RQ, Sixitalia Weekly, and
VA3RJ & ICPO for the following DX information.

DXCC COUNTRY/ENTITY REPORT: According to the AR-Cluster Network for the
week of Sunday, 12th/April, through Sunday, 19th/April there were 213
countries active. Countries available: 3A, 3B8, 3D2, 3V, 3W, 4J, 4L, 4O,
4S, 4U1U, 4X, 5A, 5B, 5H, 5N, 5R, 5U, 5W, 5Z, 6W, 6Y, 7X, 8P, 8Q, 9A, 9G,
9H, 9J, 9K, 9L, 9M2, 9M6, 9N, 9V, 9Y, A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A9, AP, BV, BY,
C3, C5, C6, C9, CE, CE9, CM, CN, CP, CT, CT3, CU, CX, D2, DL, DU, E5/s,
E7, EA, EA6, EA8, EA9, EI, EK, EL, EP, ER, ES, EU, EX, EY, F, FG, FK, FM,
FO, FP, FR, FS, FY, G, GD, GI, GJ, GM, GU, GW, H4, HA, HB, HB0, HC, HH,
HI, HK, HL, HP, HR, HS, HV, HZ, I, IS, J6, J7, JA, JD/o, JT, JW, JY, K,
KG4, KH0, KH2, KH6, KL, KP2, KP4, LA, LU, LX, LY, LZ, OA, OD, OE, OH, OH0,
OK, OM, ON, OX, OY, OZ, P2, PA, PJ2, PJ4, PY, PZ, S0, S5, S7, SM, SP, ST,
SU, SV, SV5, SV9, T5, T7, T8, TA, TF, TG, TI, TK, TN, TR, TT, TU, TZ, UA,
UA2, UA9, UK, UN, UR, V2, V3, V4, V5, V7, V8, VE, VK, VK9N, VP2E, VP2M,
VP2V, VP8, VP9, VR, VU, XE, XU, XW, XX9, YA, YB, YI, YL, YN, YO, YS, YU,
YV, Z3, Z6, Z8, ZA, ZB, ZD7, ZF, ZL, ZL7, ZP, ZS

* PLEASE NOTE: The report "could" contain "Pirate/SLIM" operations or
  more likely a "BUSTED CALLSIGN". As always, you never know - "Work
  First Worry Later".

4J0/4K0, AZERBAIJAN (Special Event). Members of the Federation of Radio-
sport of the Republic of Azerbaijan (FRS) will activate two special event
stations 4J0STAYHOME and 4K0STAYHOME during the COVID-19 crisis. Length
of activity was not mentioned. QSL via DC9RI (DARC or direct).

4W, TIMOR-LESTE (DXpedition Postponed). The following was announced on
the "TIMOR-LESTE DXpedition 2020" Web page (http://timor-leste-dx.de):
  Unfortunately, we had to make the decision that we have to postpone
our DXpedition to Timor-Leste to next year. The current situation based
on the Corona pandemic makes it impossible to plan anything later in this
year. The uncertainty of travel safety, the not predictable impact on the
companies we have to rely on and the current restrictions that prevent
a solid preparation, forced us to take this step. We hope that we can
see clearer by the end of this year what will be in 2021.
  Until then, stay safe and healthy! 73, The Lagunaria DX Group

AO495, SPAIN (Special Event). The Union of Spanish Radio Amateurs (URE),
on the occasion of the celebration of the "95th anniversary of the Inter-
national Amateur Radio Union (IARU)" and to contribute to the development
and dissemination of radio communications in general and to the world of
radio amateurs in particular and with the objective to accompany radio
amateurs in the exceptional situation caused by the spread of COVID-19,
have requested authorization to use certain special callsigns on a
temporary basis.
  As of April 15, the Secretary of State for Telecommunications and Digital
Infrastructures has sent them the following resolution:
  Authorize any radio amateur who has the required individual author-
ization, on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of the founding of the
International Radio Amateur Union (IARU), the temporary use of a special
callsign, with a different number and prefix to that of its distinctive,
but keeping its suffix, according to the following:
  Prefix:
    - Callsigns with EA prefix: AO prefix
    - Callsigns with EB prefix: AM prefix
    - Callsigns with EC prefix: AN prefix
  District:
    - Number of the badge: add "95" to the corresponding number.
      Examples: EA4ZZZ... AO495ZZZ, EB4ZZZ... AM495ZZZ, EC4ZZZ... AN495ZZZ
  The use of the special authorized signs for broadcasts from the indi-
vidual stations will be carried out under the direct and in-person respon-
sibility and supervision of the radio amateur.
  The period of use of all the special badges authorized by this Resolution
will be from April 15-30th, 2020, both dates included.

CN20, MOROCCO (Special Event). Operators Mohammadia/CN8AM, Agadir/CN8ATM,
El Kelâa des Sraghna/CN8AV, Rabat/CN8KD, Oujda/CN8MAA, Bejaâd/CN8MM, Casa-
blanca/CN8PA, Marrakech/CN8QR, Kenitra/CN8SG, Agadir/CN8VO and Meknes/CN8WW
will be using the COVID-19 Awareness special event callsign CN20SH (for
StayHome) until April 30th. QSL via RW6HS.

CQ NEWS (Press Release, dated April 13th). Rich Moseson, W2VU, CQ Editor,
sent out the following [edited]: Joseph "Bud" Trench, AA3B, Named WPX
Contest Director -- Joseph W. "Bud" Trench, AA3B, of Boyertown, Penn-
sylvania, has been named Director of the CQ WPX SSB and CW Contests,
CQ Editor Rich Moseson, W2VU, announced today. He succeeds Randy Thompson,
K5ZD, who has been serving as Interim Director.
  Trench has been licensed since 1970 and has more than 1.4 million QSOs
in his logbook (which would be very thick if still on paper!). Bud has a
passion for contesting, achieving 15 first-place finishes in the CQ World
Wide DX CW Contest in the Single Op Low Power category using callsign V26K,
including the current world record. He has been among the top-10 USA
scorers consistently since 2005 in the CQ WW WPX CW High Power category,
and has achieved the top North American score six times in CQ WW WPX RTTY.
In addition, he was the Single Op World Winner of the CQ WW WPX Triathlon
plaque in 2014, and competed in WRTC 2018.
  Bud is an officer of the Frankford Radio Club and Pennsylvania QSO Party
Association, and a member of the First Class CW Operators' Club, CW Oper-
ators' Club, Activity Group CW - DL, CWJF Group, A-1 Operator Club and
ARRL.
  Professionally, Bud is retired from a career at Lockheed Martin, where
his responsibilities included leading large organizations developing
complex hardware and software systems for the US Government.
  "I am honored to be trusted with leadership responsibilities for the
CQ WW WPX SSB and CW contests," said Trench, "and I look forward to serving
all stakeholders to ensure the continued robustness of these premiere
operating events."
  Interim WPX Contest Director Randy Thompson, K5ZD, said, "I, and the
contest community, appreciate Bud stepping forward to take on the respons-
ibility of managing the CQ WPX Contest. Bud is an extremely prolific
contester who is active on all modes. He will bring a fresh perspective
to the contest."
  Bud is jumping in with both feet, starting immediately to work with
Randy on processing the results of last month's WPX SSB weekend, and
taking the reins for next month's CW weekend.

CTU NEWS (Contest University USA 2020 - Online). Tim, K3LR, Contest
University Chairman (http://contestuniversity.com), reports on April
16th [edited]:
  "I am pleased to announce that Contest University USA 2020 will be held
on-line via Zoom on Thursday, May 14th, 2020. CTU 2020 is free.
  The CTU course outline is posted here:
         https://www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline
  Connection details to the CTU Zoom bridge will be posted on the Contest
University one week ahead of CTU.
  CTU 2020 will be recorded for easy viewing any time after May 14th and
the slide decks will be posted on the CTU website as well.
  At the end of CTU 2020 Dave, K3ZJ, from CQ Magazine will present the
2020 CQ Contest Hall of Fame awards - live on the Zoom bridge.
  73, Tim K3LR"

  EDITOR'S NOTE: The complete course outline is available at:
      https://www.contestuniversity.com/course-outline

DX0, THE PHILIPPINES. Members of the Philippine Amateur Radio Association
will activate special event station DX0STAYHOME "for the duration of the
community quarantine in the Philippines." Eddie, DU1EV, informs, "We
encourage everyone to stay home and operate their amateur radio stations."
QSL via DX1PAR.

EY, TAJIKISTAN. Nodir, EY8MM, informs OPDX that "after 10 years of being
QRT, the EY Hams can now operate on the 50 MHz band again. Analog broad-
casting on Ch1 has been stopped early 2020." He also informs that his
EY8MM 6m station setup is fully operational. Nodir has already started
EME activity and will be active in the upcoming Es season. SPECIAL QSL
NOTE. Nodir states, "Please note that my QSL Manager K1BV is temporary
not accepting QSL cards direct or by the Bureau. Please refrain from
sending cards until further information is announced. I will upload QSOs
to LoTW on regular basis." See about K1BV under "QSL INFO AND NEWS."

FM/TO3, MARTINIQUE (Canceled). Marius, ON4RU/OQ3R, who was expected to
be active as FM/OQ3R and TO3F (CQWW WPX CW Contest) from Martinique
(NA-107) between May 25th and June 6th, had to cancel his operation due
to coronavirus.

GB1, ENGLAND (Special Event). John, GI7SBF, will be active as GB1HSC
(Health and Social Care) from Lisburn starting April 20th, and will run
for 28 days. This is to show support for all the front-line staff during
this difficult time. It's not just for the health workers, but also all
of the other emergency services and the key workers who are keeping our
countries going. He will be active on 20-10 meters and also UHF/VHF (he
hopes to add 40m very soon) on both SSB and the Digital modes. QSL via
his home callsign, direct, eQSL or LoTW.

GB1, NORTHERN IRELAND (Special Event).  Stevie, MI0GTA, has activated
special event station GB1SOS from Co Derry until May 11th. Activity is
to thank all health care workers (Doctors, Nurses, and other Medical
Professional workers) who are putting their lives at risk every day
during this pandemic crisis. Operations will be on 20-10 meters using
SSB (if conditions allow.) No 80/40m; no antenna for the lower bands
there due to no room for those antennas. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

HAM RADIO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN CANCELED. Radio silence due to coronavirus
COVID-19: Ham Radio not taking place as planned during the period of
June 26-28th, 2020, but instead between June 25-27th, 2021. -- Complete
details at:
https://backend.messe-friedrichshafen.de/storage/pressrelease/01d20-en-coronavirus-covid-19-funkt-dazwischen-ham-radio-findet-nicht-wie-geplant-statt-1587027405.pdf
Also read: http://www.arrl.org/news/view/ham-radio-in-friedrichshafen-germany-announces-cancellation-of-2020-show

HG20, HUNGARY (Special Event/Award). The Hungarian Radioamateur Society
(MRASZ) announces a special radio activity for the period during the
COVAN-19 virus threat. Their aim is to raise awareness of the threat of
the epidemic and to promote the importance of Staying-at-Home, in order
to put an end to this emergency as soon as possible. During the activity,
look for the following 5 stations, of which the last two letters add up
the words STAY AT HOME: HG20ST, HG20AY, HG20AT, HG20HO and HG20ME
Each stations must be contacted in two different, freely selectable modes
in any of the shortwave amateur radio bands. Fulfilling this condition
will be rewarded with a downloadable commemorative award! The activity
has started on April 15th and is planned to end on May 15th at 2400 UTC.
Confirmed contacts can be checked and award can be downloaded at:
                              http://www.mrasz.org
Award rules are available at: http://www.mrasz.org/stay-at-home/award-rules

HZ, SAUDI ARABIA (6m News). The Saudi Amateur Radio Society (SARS) has
announced that HZ radio amateurs can now use the 50-54MHz band with a
maximum power of 50w. The first contacts took place on April 2nd.

IOTA NEWS. Since no new IOTA announcements have been made during the past
week (probably because of many COVIN-19 travel restrictions), OPDX decided
to list the following IOTA operations that were active this past week:
    IOTA     Callsign     Island/GROUP  Bands/Modes
   ------    ----------   ------------- ------------
   AF-004    AM8WARD      Canary        40/20m; SSB
   AF-004    EA8BWW       Canary        40m; SSB
   AF-004    EA8DEG       Canary        40m; SSB
   AF-004    EA8TL        Canary        17m
   AF-016    FR4NT        Reunion       80/15/10m; CW
   AF-018    IH9YMC       Pantelleria   20m; CW
   AF-022    ZD7FT        St. Helena    20/17m; SSB
   AF-024    S79KW        Seychelles    17m; FT8
   AF-057    5R8UI        Madagascar    10m; CW
   AS-004    5B4AHL       Cyprus        17m; SSB
   AS-007    JH1IFS       Japan         20m; FT8
   AS-118    9K2DX        Kuwait Group  40m
   EU-002    OH0STAYHOME  Aland         20m; SSB
   EU-002    OH0Z         Aland         20m; CW
   EU-005    G0GKH        England       40m; CW
   EU-005    G3VPW        England       20m; FT8
   EU-005    G6JVT        England       17m; SSB
   EU-005    G8DX         England       10m; SSB
   EU-005    GB4SAH       England       40m
   EU-005    GM4ATA       Scotland      30m
   EU-005    M0HKB        England       40/10m; SSB
   EU-009    GM0WED       Orkney        20m; CW
   EU-010    GM4KGK       Isle of Lewis 20m; FT4
   EU-013    GH5DX        Jersey        20m; FT4
   EU-014    TK4LS        Corsica       30m
   EU-015    SV9FBG       Crete         17m
   EU-015    SV9MBH       Crete         20m
   EU-018    OY1CT        Faroe         17/15m
   EU-020    SK9WARD    Gotland County  80m
   EU-021    TF3WARD      Iceland       30m
   EU-023    9H5JO        Malta         17m
   EU-024    II0ICH       Sardinia      20m; SSB
   EU-024    IS0DCR       Sardinia      10m
   EU-024    IS0FAP       Sardinia      40m; SSB
   EU-029    OV1CDX       Sjaelland     40m
   EU-031    IC8ATA       Procida       20m; SSB
   EU-034    ES0WL        Hiiumaa       20m
   EU-047    DJ9IN        Norderney     20m
   EU-115    GB5NHS    Northern Ireland 17m; SSB
   EU-115    MI0TLG    Northern Ireland 17m; SSB
   EU-116    GD0OUD       Isle of Man   20m; CW
   EU-116    GD1JNB       Isle of Man   20m; SSB
   EU-137    SM7/OZ7AM    Ven           30m
   EU-137    SM7/OZ1AA    Ven           80/40/30m
   NA-005    VP9NO        Bermuda       30m
   NA-015    CO7OA        Cuba          20m; SSB
   NA-021    8P6GY        Barbados      20m; SSB
   NA-021    8P6NW        Barbados      20/17m; SSB
   NA-022    VP2EIH       Anguilla      10m; SSB
   NA-022    VP2ETE       Anguilla      80/12m; CW/FT8
   NA-096    HI3Y   Dominican Republic  20m; FT8
   NA-096    HI6AV  Dominican Republic  17m; FT8
   NA-096    HI8PAP Dominican Republic  10m
   NA-096    HI8SMX Dominican Republic  17m; SSB
   NA-099    WP4IRV       Puerto Rico   20m; SSB
   NA-102    FG4SO        Guadeloupe    10m; SSB
   NA-103    VP2MNI       Montserrat    20m; SSB
   NA-107    FM5WD        Martinique     6m
   NA-108    J62ARC       St. Lucia     20m; SSB
   NA-111    N0MDH        NJ State      20m; FT8
   NA-138    WB2DRV       FL State NE   20m; FT8
   OC-001    VK2CR        Australia     20m; SSB
   OC-026    KH2/KC4VBE   Guam          40m; CW
   OC-036    ZL1WN        NZ North      17m; SSB
   OC-036    ZL2AIM       NZ North      40m; CW
   OC-036    ZM1A         NZ North      40m; CW
   OC-046    FO5QB     French Polynesia 10m
   OC-097    5W1SA        Samoa         17m; FT8
   OC-143    YB4FIK       Sumatra       20m; SSB
   OC-150    YB9GV      Tenggara Barat  20m; FT8
   OC-151    YD6MCE/9   Tenggara Timur  40m
   OC-209    YB8UTI       Talaud        20m; CW
   SA-002    VP8LP        Falkand       20m; SSB
   SA-006    PJ4DX        Bonaire       20m; SSB
   SA-011    9Z4Y   Trinidad and Tobago 20m; CW

  PLEASE NOTE: Since the Webmasters of the new <www.iota-world.org> have
  decided NOT to post or dedicate a Web page to announce upcoming IOTA
  operations, PLEASE send your IOTA operations information to the OPDX,
  and we will post it here in an upcoming bulletin......

MUSEUM SHIPS WEEKEND EVENT (Canceled!). The Museum Ships Weekend (MSWE)
sponsored by The Battleship New Jersey Amateur Radio Station (BNJARS)
has announced the event is CANCELED! It was posted, "Due to the current
unknowns with COVID-19 virus, BNJARS is canceling the planned annual
Museum Ships Weekend Event 2020 which was scheduled to begin 6-June-2020
at 0001Z and end 7-June 2020 at 2400Z. A lot of the ships that participate
are already closed due to this health situation and others may get orders
to close soon. As of today, April 6, 2020, it is unknown when the 'lock-
down' will be lifted so it is with an abundance of caution and regret
that we have decided to cancel MSWE 2020. The health and safety of all
our ship participants takes precedence at all times. We look forward to
the event for 2021."

NEW ARRL BENEFITS (QEX and NCJ are Now Available!). The following was
posted on the ARRL Web page on April 17th: The May/June digital editions
of QEX and the National Contest Journal (NCJ) are now available for reading
on your iOS or Android mobile device through the ARRL Magazines app, or
with your desktop or laptop computer from the ARRL Magazines page on the
web at www.arrl.org/arrl-magazines.
  App users please note that you may need to clear the cache in the app's
Settings menu to fully update.
  The digital versions of QEX and NCJ are new benefits for all ARRL members.
Members now have exclusive access to four magazines, each with their own
unique content: QST, On the Air, QEX, and NCJ.
  Also, see the ARRL Letter for April 16, 2020, for more details at:
           http://www.arrl.org/arrlletter?issue=2020-04-16

OA7, PERU. Yuri, N3QQ, will be active as OA7/N3QQ from Machu Picchu
between August 6-12th. Activity will be holiday style on various HF
bands. QSL via N7RO.

OPDX MAILING LIST (Just A Reminder). Details on how to subscribe and
unsubscribe from the "OPDX Mailing List" are at the bottom of this
bulletin. PLEASE pass the word around.... Thanks and 73 de Tedd KB8NW

PROPAGATION FORECAST/REPORT (April 20-26th).......
 Apr/20th AN      Apr/23rd  AN     Apr/25th  AN
 Apr/21st AN      Apr/24th  AN     Apr/26th  HN
 Apr/22nd AN

   SOLAR REFERENCE KEYS/INDEXES AND GEOMAGNETIC REFERENCE
   ------------------------------------------------------
    NORMALITY               GEOMAG       K Values    Alpha
   -----------------        ------       --------    ------
   AN  - Above Normal       Quiet        K=0-1       0-7
   HN  - High Normal        Unsettled    K=2         8-15
   LN  - Low Normal         Active       K=3         16-29
   BN  - Below Normal       Minor Storm  K=4         30-49
   DIS - Disturbed          Major Storm  K=5         50-99
   VRY DIS - Very Disturbed Severe Storm K=6-9       100-400

    Meanwhile, check out the following Web sites for propagation:
     * VOACAP predication Web page at:  http://www.voacap.com/hf
           and      http://www.voacap.com/prediction.html
     * DX.QSL.NET Propagation page: https://dx.qsl.net/propagation
     * A daily HF radio wave propagation forecast can be found at:
             https://www.facebook.com/thomasfranklingiellaw4hm
     * SolarHam Web page:   http://www.solarham.net
     * Radio Propagation/Space Weather/Sunspot Cycle Information at:
                           http://sunspotwatch.com
     * News and Information About The Sun-Earth Environment:
                    https://www.spaceweather.com
     * Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve
       overseas locations are at:   http://arrl.org/propagation
     * Information and tutorials on propagation are at: http://k9la.us
     * Graphic propagation tool by DR2W: http://www.dr2w.de/dx-propagation
     * Point to point propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk/p2p.html
     * Real-time propagation at: http://www.predtest.uk
     * Also on Twitter: https://twitter.com/@GiellaW4hm

QSL INFO AND NEWS...................
  QSL-INFO from DB0SDX by Lothar, DL1SBF (www.qslinfo.eu) (April 19th)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5P0WARD via OZ1ACB (O/L/N) EG5WRD via EG5WRD (L/e) OT7STAYSAFE via ON6MS (e)
  AM(1-9)WARD via EA4URE     HG5D via HA8QZ       PB75A via PB2A & (L)
  AM95WARD via EA4URE        HG6O via HA6OA       PE75OUW via PE1OUW
  AO195HCZ via EA1HCZ        HG8C via HA8EK    PR2STAYHOME via PR2STAYHOME (L)
  AO295EZ via EA2EZ          II7BA via IQ7DV      R1994YU via R1994YU (O)
  AO395PP via EA3PP          M8A via M0HDF        R1996VK via R1996VK (O)
  AO595BY via EA5BY         MD2C via MD0CCE (O/L) RG61PP via RZ3LC
  AO595XA via EA5XA  & (L)  MM2T via GM0LIR (L/e) SE5L via SM5ALJ
  AO795IYF via EA7IYF        OK2KRT via OK2KW     SE6K via SM6FZO
  AO795Z via EA7Z (L)        OK4K via OK1BOA      SM7/OZ1AA via OZ1ACB (O/L)
  AO895ARI via EA8ARI (L/e)  OQ4ANGELS via ON4CHT SN1T via SP1NQN (L)
  BV50CYMC via BV4VR & (L)   OR5T via ON4ALY      TZ4AM via W0SA & (L)
  C4W via 5B4WN (L)          OR95WARD via ON4LBI  VE9HOME via VE9HF (L)
  CN20SH via RW6HS (d)  OS0STAYHOME via OS0STAYHOME (e) ZM2B via ZL2BR
  DX0STAYHOME via DX1PAR     OT20LIFE via ON5AV   ZW5STAYHOME via PY5EG
  EF3P via EA3GP             OT4HOPE via ON6SI

  Special Event QSL Info from Tedd, KB8NW (April 19th)
  -------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4J0STAYHOME via DC9RI     A60WARD/6 via A61BK      OR8STAYHOME via (B)
  4K0STAYHOME via DC9RI     A60WARD/7 via LZ1YE      OS0STAYHOME via (e)
  8A1HOME via YB1LZ (L)     A60WARD/8 via A61RJ (d)  OT20LIFE via ON5AV
  9K9STAYHOME via 9K2OW (L) A60WARD/9 via A61BK      OT20STAYHOME via (B/e/C)
  A60SH/1 via A61BK         A60WARD/10 via A65GC (d) OT2STAYHOME via ON7LU
  A60SH/2 via EA7FTR        AO895RM via (L/C)        OT6STAYSAFE via ON5YL
  A60SH/3 via A61NN         CN20SH via RW6HS         OT7STAYSAFE via (e/C)
  A60SH/4 via A61BK        CQ8STAYHOME via (C) OT20STAYHOME via ON4CAS (B/C/e)
  A60SH/5 via A92AA         CR2STAYHOME via (L)      PC6STAYHOME via (d/B/L/e)
  A60SH/6 via A61BK         CT1STAYHOME via CT1EEQ   PR2STAYHOME via (e/L/N)
  A60SH/7 via LZ1YE         CV7STAYHOME via (L/e)    R3STAYHOME via R3KEE (B)
  A60SH/8 via A61BK         DX0STAYHOME via DX1PAR   SZ3STAYHOME via (e/L)
  A60SH/9 via A61AY         E7STAYHOME via E73Y      TM95WARD via F6BEE
  A60SH/10 via A61BK        GB1HSC via GI7SBF (e/L)  VC2STAYHOM via (d/L)
  A60SH/11 via A65MM (d)    GB1SOS via (d)           VC3STAYHOM via (d)
  A60SH/12 via A61BK       ON4HEROES via ON5UR (d/B) XM2STAYHOM via VE2EH (B)
  A60WARD/1 via A61BK       OO7STAYHOME via ON7SS    Z30STAYHOME via (C/O)
  A60WARD/2 via EA7FTR      OP2STAYHOME via ON6NB    Z39STAYHOME via (C/O)
  A60WARD/3 via A61NN       OQ4ANGELS via ON4CHT (B) ZW5STAYHOME via PY5EG
  A60WARD/4 via A61BK       OR2STAYHOME via (e)      ZW8THANKS via (e/L/d)
  A60WARD/5 via A92AA       OR4STAYHOME via ON3AR (d/B)

  (e) eQSL only  (d) direct only   (B) Bureau only  (*-B) DX's- Bureau
  (O) OQRS only  (C) ClubLog only  (L) LoTW only    (N) No QSL needed
  (I) No IRC     (P) PayPal        (NB) No Bureau

  LOGS ONLINE (New/Updated) AVAILABLE ON CLUBLOG.ORG THIS WEEK......
  https://clublog.org/logsearch/5Z4/G3AB (Updated)
  https://clublog.org/logsearch/HR5/F2JD (Updated)
  https://clublog.org/logsearch/J68HZ    (Updated)
  https://clublog.org/logsearch/R207RRC

  H33K QSL ROUTE CHANGE. Jay, HP3AK, for the H33K Group, informs: "Due
  to problems with the postal service in Panama during the Covid-19 lock-
  down, we have had to change the QSL routing for the H33K Special Event
  and contest operation that occurred from March 2nd through March 13th,
  2020." Jack, W4JS, has agreed to pick up the QSL Manager duties and has
  received the log. The logs are already uploaded to LoTW and ClubLog.
  The newly printed QSL cards are at PhotoQSLs.com and will be forward
  to Jack ASAP. Jay has updated the QRZ.com page with the new information
  showing that W4JS is the (new) QSL Manager.

  QSL MANAGER K1BV. It has been reported that Ted, K1BV, is currently
  very sick, and has been in the hospital since September. Our prayers
  go out to him for a full recovery. It was suggested to not send cards
  and waste money until his situation is resolved. Please wait until Ted
  is back to full service.

  TU5PCT QSL STATUS. The TU5PCT QSL cards have been received from the
  printer. The labels will be printed and then the QSL cards will be
  taken to the post office. OQRS direct QSOs are already on LoTW.

  VK9NS QSL STATUS. Janusz, SP9FIH, reports on April 18th: I just made
  first upload to LoTW. QSOs requested as direct via OQRS Clublog were
  uploaded. Please be patient - all QSOs will be uploaded when I am back
  home. Nobody knows when but I hope before next year... My priority now
  is making QSOs with all who need Norfolk Island as ATNO. Contact con-
  firmations will wait for some time.

  U.S. POSTAL STOPPAGE (Updated as April 18th). The U.S. Postal Service
  has "Temporary Service Suspensions" outgoing mail to many countries.
  Due to widespread transportation cancellations and restrictions, the
  Postal Service will temporarily suspend international mail service to
  the following destinations. (Dates in parentheses show when service
  was suspended to that country.)

  Angola (4/7/20)          India (4/3/20)         Rep.of the Congo (4/10/20)
  Benin (4/7/20)           Kenya (4/10/20)        Rwanda (4/10/20
  Bermuda* (4/17/20)       Kiribati (4/10/20)     Samoa* (4/3/20)
  Bolivia (4/3/20)         Kuwait (4/3/20)        Saudi Arabia* (4/1/20)
  Bosnia&Herzegovina (4/7/20) Kyrgyzstan (4/7/20) Senegal (4/7/20)
  Botswana* (4/3/20)       Laos (4/7/20)          Seychelles (4/7/20)
  Burundi (4/10/20)        Lebanon (4/7/20)       Solomon Islands (4/7/20)
  Cameroon (4/7/20)        Lesotho (4/10/20)      South Africa* (4/3/20)
  Cape Verde* (4/17/20)    Libya* (4/3/20)        South Sudan* (4/17/20)
  Cayman Islands* (4/3/20) Madagascar* (4/3/20)   Sri Lanka* (4/3/20)
  Chad* (4/3/20)           Malawi* (4/10/20)      Sudan (4/7/20)
  Cook Islands (4/7/20)    Maldives* (4/3/20)  Swaziland/Eswatini* (4/17/20)
  Costa Rica (4/7/20)      Mauritius* (4/10/20)   Tajikistan (4/7/20)
  Cuba (4/10/20)           Moldova (4/7/20)       Tanzania (4/7/20)
  Curaçao* (4/10/20)       Mongolia* (4/3/20)     Timor-Leste (4/7/20)
  Dem.Rep.of the Congo (4/10/20) Mozambique (4/7/20) Tonga (4/7/20)
  Ecuador* (4/3/20)        Nepal* (4/10/20)       UAE (4/10/20)
  Fiji* (4/3/20)         New Caledonia* (4/3/20)  Uganda (4/7/20)
  French Polynesia* (4/3/20) New Guinea (4/10/20) Uruguay (4/7/20)
  Gambia (4/7/20)          Oman* (4/17/20)        Vanuatu (4/7/20)
  Guatemala (4/7/20)       Panama* (4/3/20)     Venezuela (4/7/20)
  Guinea Bissau (4/10/20)  Papua New Guinea (4/7/20) Yemen* (4/17/20)
  Guyana (4/10/20)         Paraguay (4/7/20)      Zambia (4/10/20)
  Honduras* (4/3/20)       Peru* (4/3/20)         Zimbabwe (4/3/20)
            *denotes countries not accepting incoming mail
  Please do not attempt to send an item addressed to any of the affected
  countries. If you do, the item will be returned to you.
  ** Unless noted otherwise on International Service Alerts, service
     suspensions to a particular country do not affect delivery of
     military and diplomatic mail.

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA LoTW: 3D2CR, 4U1UN, 6Y5HN, 7Z1IS, 8R1/AH0G, 9Z4Y,
  CE2SV, CP6/DK7PE, EA9ABC, EA9AI, FM5BH, HB0CC, HC2AO, KG4NE, LZ1PM,
  PJ2LJG, PU0FDN, TG9ADM, VK4ACN, VP2VB, VP2VBN, YS1RR, ZK3A, ZL1BYZ,
  ZL3CW and ZP4KFX

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA MAIL: 5H4WZ (AF-063), CB0Z and YU1ZZ

  QSLS RECEIVED VIA THE BUREAU: NONE REPORTED THIS WEEK!!!!
    --- We would like to see more QSL Bureaus (such as AS/US/SA/AF.. etc)
        send in their info....

SPECIAL STAY AT HOME STATIONS/ACTIVITIES (Updated/Corrections). Many more
special event stations have hit the airwaves (or soon will be) to promote
individuals to "STAY-AT-HOME" and raise awareness for the restrictions
necessary to fight the spread the coronavirus. List also includes special
event stations to thank all health and medical workers. Here is a checklist
of stations announced to be active:
    4J0STAYHOME (Azerbaijan)              OH8PYSYKOTONA (Finland)
    4K0STAYHOME (Azerbaijan)              OH9PYSYKOTONA (Finland)
    4MSTAYHOME (Venezuela)                OH0STAYHOME (Aland Island)
    5B4STAYHOME (Cyprus)                  OH1STAYHOME (Finland)
    8A1HOME (Indonesia)                   OH2STAYHOME (Finland)
    8A1STAYHOME (Indonesia)               OH3STAYHOME (Finland)
    8C2STAYHOME  (Indonesia)              OH4STAYHOME (Finland)
    9K9STAYHOME (Kuwait)                  OH5STAYHOME (Finland)
    A60SH/1 [SH=StayHome] (U.A.E.)        OH6STAYHOME (Finland)
    A60SH/2  (United Arab Emirates)       OH7STAYHOME (Finland)
    A60SH/3  (United Arab Emirates)       OH8STAYHOME (Finland)
    A60SH/4  (United Arab Emirates)       OH9STAYHOME (Finland)
    A60SH/5  (United Arab Emirates)       OO7STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/6  (United Arab Emirates)       OP2STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/7  (United Arab Emirates)       OP6STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/8  (United Arab Emirates)       OQ4ANGELS (Belgium)
    A60SH/9  (United Arab Emirates)       OR2STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/10 (United Arab Emirates)       OR20STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/11 (United Arab Emirates)       OR4STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/12 (United Arab Emirates)       OR8STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60SH/13 (United Arab Emirates)       OS0STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A60STAYHOME (United Arab Emirates)    OT2STAYHOME (Belgium)
    A69STAYHOME (United Arab Emirates)    OT20STAYHOME (Belgium)
    AX2020STAYHOME (Australia)            OT6STAYSAFE (Belgium)
    CN20SH (Morocco)                      OT7STAYSAFE (Belgium)
    CQ8STAYHOME (Azores)                  PC6STAYHOME (The Netherlands)
    CR2STAYHOME (Azores)                  PR2STAYHOME (Brazil)
    CT1STAYHOME (Portugal)                R3STAYHOME (European Russia)
    CV7STAYHOME (Uruguay)                 SZ3STAYHOME (Greece)
    DX0STAYHOME (Philippine)              TC1STAYHOME (Turkey)
    E2STAYHOME  (Thailand)                VC2STAYHOM (Canada)
    E7STAYHOME (Bosnia & Herzegovina)     VC3STAYHOM (Canada)
    GB1HSC [Health & Social Care]         VE9HOME (Canada)
      (England)                           VI2020STAYHOME (Australia)
    GB4SAH [SAH=Stay-At-Home] (England)   W4IPC/STAYHOME (United States)
    GB5NHS [NHS=National Health Service]  XM2STAYHOM (Canada)
      (England)                           YO19STAYHOME (Romania)
    HZ1STAYHOME (Saudi Arabia)            YS1STAYHOM1 (El Salvador)
    IX1HPN/STAYHOME (Italy)               YS1STAYHOM2 (El Salvador)
    KC1KUG/STAYH (United States)          YS1STAYHOM3 (El Salvador)
    OH0PYSYKOTONA (Finland; "Pysy         YS1STAYHOM4 (El Salvador)
      kotona" means StayHome in Finnish)  YS1STAYHOM5 (El Salvador)
    OH1PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               YS1STAYHOM6 (El Salvador)
    OH2PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               Z30STAYHOME (North Macedonia)
    OH3PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               Z39STAYHOME (North Macedonia)
    OH4PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               Z60STAYHOME (Kosovo)
    OH5PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               ZW5STAYHOME (Brazil)
    OH6PYSYKOTONA (Finland)               ZW8THANKS   (Brazil)
    OH7PYSYKOTONA (Finland)

  QSL via operator's instructions or check to see if the QSL info is
listed above under "QSL INFO AND NEWS". ADDED NOTE: If you missed the
special bulletin OPDX.1459.1 (http://papays.com/opdx1459.1.html), the
Finnish Amateur Radio League (SRAL) is providing a number of special
awards during these Stay-At-Home "OH" operations (as well as other coun-
tries signing STAYHOME that qualified) which runs through July 8th.
Complete details can be found in OPDX.1459.1 or on the SRAL Web page at:
               https://www.sral.fi/2020/04/07/finland-stay-home
  PRESS RELEASE (Update, dated April 16th)[edited]: FROM THE FINNISH
AMATEUR RADIO LEAGUE (SRAL) -- TWENTY-FIVE (25) COUNTRIES ACTIVE IN
STAYHOME PROGRAM: ADXG, Araucaria DX Group of Brazil has donated the
winner's trophy to STAYHOME program's SHA award, with highest number of
STAYHOME stations contacted. Also the highest number up to three (3) less
than achieved maximum will be awarded. www.qrz.com/db/OH2STAYHOME
  This announcement was released in honor of Oms, PY5EG, being the first
one to work all ten (10) STAYHOME prefixes from Finland from where more
than 12,000 QSOs were already handed out. Youngest participants is 14-year
old Ville, OH1UDC, with more than 400 QSOs under his belt.
                            https://www.qrz.com/db/OH1UDC
  As many are lacking some prefixes, all of them will be activated this
coming Saturday, April 18th, 1100-1400 UTC on SSB 14250-14270 kHz. This
includes rare OH9STAYHOME prefix from Lapland (OH9BS) who is QRV thru list
operation. Please contact the net control via email; sked@sral.fi.

SZ3, GREECE (Special Event). Members of the Association of Radio Amateurs
of the Western Peloponnese (ERDYP) be active as SZ3STAYHOME in the area
of Patras (KM08) to assist/aware everyone about war against Covid-19 and
to Stay-Home and Stay-Safe during this health crisis. QSL via LoTW, e-QSL
or QRZ.com. Online log at: http://www.hamlog.eu/Log_list_*SZ3STAYHOME
Visit the ERDYP Web page at:    http://erdyp.gr/?p=1592

W2, UNITED STATES (Special Event). Look for special event station W2H to
be operating during its inaugural year in honor of "World PH Day 2020."
On May 5th, W2H will operate on 80/40/20 meters using SSB, FT8/FT4 (normal
frequencies), as well as other bands/modes as conditions permit. Check
the QRZ.com page for a more detailed operating schedule.
  WHAT IS WORLD PH DAY? Every year on May 5th, pulmonary hypertension
organizations and groups around the world participate in World Pulmonary
Hypertension Day activities to raise awareness of this frequently mis-
diagnosed disease and celebrate the lives of people living with PH. World
PH Day brings global attention to the importance of improving the quality
of life and raising the life expectancy of the more than 25 million people
living with PH worldwide.

W4, UNITED STATES (Special Event). Special event station W4M ("Whiskey 4
Moonshine") is now active until April 30th. Activity is to to commemorate
(not celebrate) the 100 year anniversary of the beginning of Prohibition
by celebrating the Moonshine Heritage of Franklin County. Operations will
be on 160/80/40/20/15/10 meters (depending upon volunteers preferences
and equipment) using CW, SSB and the Digital modes. Their operations will
take place primarily in Franklin and surrounding counties in Virginia.
QSL via AF2T. For more details, visit their Web site at:
                       http://www.whiskey4moonshine.com

XR0, EASTER ISLAND. Hans-Martin, DK2HM, will be active as XR0YHM from
Easter Island (SA-001) between August 27th and September 7th. Activity
will be holiday style on 80-10 meters using SSB and the Digital modes.
QSL via DK2HM, direct, by the Bureau, ClubLog's OQRS, eQSL or LoTW. ADDED
NOTE: This activity is subject to the health and travel situation in
August and may be postponed if necessary. Please follow the QRZ.com page
and Twitter (https://twitter.com/XR0YHM) for updates.

XU, CAMBODIA. Chenxing, BG9XD, is now active as XU7AMG from Phnom Penh
until June 14th. Activity will be on 80/40/20/15/10 meters using CW, SSB
and RTTY. QSL via BG9XD direct.

YOUTH TEAM EXUBERANCE POSTPONES K3LR OPERATION. The following was reported
on the ARRL Web page on April 14th: Youth Team Postpones its Planned CQ
WPX CW Operation from K3LR -- The youthful Team Exuberance has announced
that it's postponing its planned CQ WPX CW contest operation from K3LR
until May 2021. Team Exuberance will compete in the multi-two category.
 "While this decision was not taken lightly, it was clearly the appropriate
action in light of the coronavirus pandemic," team member Bryant Rascoll,
KG5HVO, said in an announcement. "Thank you to all individuals and clubs
who financially contributed to our fund-raising efforts," he said.
  Those seeking to have their 2020 contributions refunded should email
him or Marty Sullaway, NN1C. All funds retained will go toward Team
Exuberance's next operation, Rascoll said.

ZW8, BRAZIL (Special Event). Operators Freddy/PY3YD, Joselito/PS8BR,
Fernando/PS8CW, Raimundo/PS8DX, Jose/PS8ET, Milton/PS8HF, Nelson/PS8NF,
Pirajah/PS8RF, Dalton/PS8TV and Andre/PT9AL are using the special event
callsign ZW8THANKS as a tribute to health care professionals fighting
COVID-19. Activity will be on all bands and modes including the satel-
lites. QSL via direct, eQSL or LoTW.

***********************************************************************
TO BE ADDED TO THE OPDX MAILING LIST -- Click or send requests to:
   Subscribe:   (mailto:kb8nw@hotmail.com?subject=subscribe)
   Unsubscribe: (mailto:kb8nw@hotmail.com?subject=unsubscribe)

  Just a reminder, you can still obtain the OPDX Bulletins via the
OPDX Web page (provided by John, K8YSE) [http://www.papays.com/opdx.html],
QRZ.com (under Forums; News; Special Events, Contests.. etc.), several
DX Mailing Lists, and two different UseNet Groups (rec.radio.info and
rec.radio.amateur.dx). The weekly bulletin (issue # from the OPDX Web
page URL) is also posted on the following Media pages:
 NODXA FaceBook -- https://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation
 Twitter -- https://twitter.com/kb8nw_opdx
ALSO VISIT THE NORTHERN OHIO DX ASSOCIATION'S WEB PAGES AT:
                          http://www.nodxa.org/
             http://www.facebook.com/NorthernOhioDxAssociation
     
***********************************************************************

* All excerpts and distribution of "The OPDX Bulletin" are granted as
  long as KB8NW/OPDX/BARF80 receives credit.

** To contribute DX info, please send via InterNet Mail to:
             (kb8nw@arrl.net) or (kb8nw@hotmail.com)
   Information can now be faxed to the following phone line at:
                           1-419-828-7791 (F A X only!)
...... 73 de Tedd KB8NW
/EXIT

-----------------------------------------------------------------------


Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW - E-mail addresses:
<kb8nw@hotmail.com> or <kb8nw@arrl.net>
Editor of the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin (OPDX - DXer's Tool of Excellence)
President of the "Northern Ohio DX Association" (NODXA)
DX Chairman for the "Northern Ohio Amateur Radio Society
ARRL Assistant Director of the Great Lakes Division
Sysop of the "Basic Amateur Radio Frequency BBS" (BARF80.ORG)

Sunday, April 19, 2020

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-110

The AMSAT News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and infor-
mation service of AMSAT, 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 commun-
icating 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.

You can sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service
Bulletins via the ANS List; to join this list see:
http://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans

In this edition:

* ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals
* House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris
* 3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted
* New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store
* Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR
* Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations
* Upcoming Satellite Operations
* ARISS News
* Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events
* Satellite Shorts From All Over


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-110.01
ANS-110 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 110.01
From AMSAT HQ KENSINGTON, MD.
DATE 2020 April 19
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-110.01


ARRL, AMSAT Seek Changes in FCC Orbital Debris Mitigation Proposals

ARRL Washington Counsel Dave Siddall, K3ZJ, and AMSAT Executive Vice
President Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, on April 8, discussed with senior FCC
International Bureau staff by telephone the FCC’s draft Report & Order
(R&O) on mitigation of orbital debris (IB Docket No. 18-313). The ama-
teur representatives told the FCC staff that “two aspects of the draft
regulations are of particular concern…. and would seriously hinder
amateur radio’s future operations in space, if adopted as proposed
without the relatively minor changes that we propose.”

First, ARRL and AMSAT requested a revision to proposed language that
otherwise would allow only private individual licensees to indemnify
the U.S. for the operations of an amateur space satellite. ARRL and
AMSAT requested that satellite owners be added to that provision. The
amateur representatives, noting that amateur radio licensees may only
be individuals under the amateur rules, stated that “[i]n no other
service would an individual be required to personally make a similar
indemnification” and that “it would be difficult to impossible to find
an individual Amateur Radio licensee willing to bear that risk.”

Second, ARRL and AMSAT asked the FCC to delay by 3 years the proposed
effective date of April 23, 2022, for a rule that would require satel-
lite operators to certify that space stations “be designed with the
maneuvering capabilities sufficient to perform collision avoidance”
for spacecraft designed to operate above 400 kilometers in altitude.
Citing the long lead times to design and construct Amateur satellites,
ARRL and AMSAT suggested that a more reasonable date would be April 23,
2025 and noted that, based on recent past years, only an estimated 3-5
amateur satellites likely would be launched during the extra period.

“We do not disagree with the purpose of this requirement,” they told
the FCC staff, but “the proposed effective date is unreasonable in the
case of amateur radio satellites.” The new effective date “would allow
time for amateur spacecraft designers to adapt to this new require-
ment,” they said.

Citing the value of amateur satellites to the development of the com-
mercial small satellite industry, and student participation in such
projects, ARRL and AMSAT said a strong and robust Amateur Satellite
Service will help inspire future developments in satellite technology.
The requested changes to the draft R&O would help ensure that amateur
radio continues to have a future in space and contribute to the public
interest on an educational, non-pecuniary basis.

The FCC is expected to consider the R&O at its April 23 open meeting.
The AMSAT/ARRL document may be read in full at: https://bit.ly/2KjfHjf

[ANS thanks the American Radio Relay League for the above information]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

House Committee Leaders Request FCC Delay Rulemaking on Space Debris

House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Ranking Member Frank
Lucas, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, Space & Aeronautics Subcom-
mittee Ranking Member Brian Babin, and Space & Aeronautics Subcommit-
tee Chairwoman Kendra Horn sent a letterrequesting that the Federal
Communication Commission (FCC) delay on their Proposed Rulemaking in
the matter of Mitigation of Orbital Debris in the New Space Age.

The Science Committee Members raised a number of concerns with moving
forward on the rule, including the timing of the action during the
COVID-19 pandemic. “Given the unprecedented circumstances surrounding
the COVID-19 crisis, the immense effort undertaken to recover from the
pandemic, and the potential for the FCC’s proposal to exacerbate im-
pacts on U.S. industry and international competitiveness at a critical
period in our nation’s history, we hope that you will agree to postpone
future action,” the letter reads.

The letter also raises substantive concerns with the rule itself, the
rulemaking process, and the potential for regulatory and legislative
inconsistency, noting significant concerns from stakeholders [inclu-
ding AMSAT].

“The proposal contradicts Executive Branch policy and is inconsistent
with existing and proposed legislative action,” the letter states.
“Regulatory action by the FCC at this time, without clear authority
from Congress, will at the very least create confusion and undermine
the Commission’s work, and at worst undermine U.S. economic competi-
tiveness and leadership in space.” The letter also mentions that FCC
action could duplicate efforts at the Department of Commerce.

The full text of the letter is available at: https://bit.ly/3bhJqoC

[ANS thanks spaceref.com for the above information]


+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

         Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the AMSAT office
    is closed until further notice. For details, please visit
  https://www.amsat.org/amsat-office-closed-until-further-notice/

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+


3D Printed Cubesat Simulator Frame Design Posted

AMSAT VP - Educational Relations, Dr. Alan Johnston, KU2Y, posted his
build of the 3D printed 'Universal 1U Cubesat Frame' by Juliano85
at: https://thingiverse.com/make:789484  Alan notes, "It is a perfect
frame for the new AMSAT CubeSatSim, a low cost CubeSat functional
satellite model." Information on building the Simulator can found at:
http://cubesatsim.org

The CubeSatSim is a low cost satellite emulator that runs on solar pan-
els and batteries, and transmits UHF radio telemetry. The simulator is
a tool for education and demonstrations. It can be used in a classroom
or training setting to introduce the basics of satellites, or it can
be used to teach STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) con-
cepts. It can also be a stepping stone in a project to build and
launch an actual flight model CubeSat.

[ANS thanks Alan Johnston, KU2Y, VP - Educational Relations, for the
above information]


+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

           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

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+


New OSCAR T-Shirt Available from AMSAT Zazzle Store

Thanks to an post on Twitter from Michael Styne, K2MTS, AMSAT is
pleased to offer a new t-shirt on the AMSAT Zazzle Store. This t-
shirt design is available in variants suitable for printing on either
dark or lightly colored shirts.

The shirt features a representation of AMSAT-OSCAR 7 in orbit with the
tagline "OSCAR - Adventure and Excitement in Space Age Communication"
This image was used in advertisements for the 1978 ARRL book "Getting
to Know OSCAR." The ARRL has granted AMSAT permission to republish
this classic image as a t-shirt.

Get yours today! 25% of the purchase price goes towards Keeping
Amateur Radio in Space.

https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_dark-235643945481104970

https://www.zazzle.com/oscar_t_shirt_light-235449229998854129

[ANS thanks Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, AMSAT Executive VP, for the above
information]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Receiving SMOG-P and ATL-1 Nano Satellites With an RTL-SDR

Zoltan Doczi (HA7DCD) has published a tutorial that shows how to re-
ceive signals from the SMOG-P and ATL-1 nano satellites which were
launched via Rocket Lab back in late 2019.

SMOG-P is a Hungarian nano satellite developed by BME University. It's
payload consists of an on board spectrum analyzer that is designed to
measure electromagnetic pollution (electrosmog) from space, and to al-
so monitor the DVB-T spectrum. It currently holds the title of the
world's smallest satellite in operation.  ATL-1 is another Hungarian
satellite this time developed by ATL Ltd. Its mission is to test a new
thermal isolation material in space and to monitor the DVB-T spectrum.

To receive telemetry from these satellites one can use a Raspberry Pi,
RTL-SDR, Yagi, and optionally an LNA and filter. In his post Zoltan
shows how to install the SMOG-P decoder, and provides a script that
automatically decodes, uploads packets to the BME University server,
and archives old IQ files and packets.

Zoltan notes that if you wish to receive these satellites, now is the
time to do so as these nano satellites are in a very low orbit and on-
ly have an orbital lifespan of only 6-8 months total.

The full blog post with photos may be found at: https://bit.ly/2VeTk56
and at https://bit.ly/3cnfV4Z

[ANS thanks Zoltan Doczi, HA7DCD, and RTL-SDR.com for the above infor-
mation]


+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

     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/

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+


Commercial Blogs Feature Introductions to Satellite Operations

The official corporate blogs of two businesses closely related to the
amateur radio market have focused attention on introducing newcomers
to the world of satellites in this past week. Icom America, Inc. and
DX Engineering have both featured satellite operations in blog posts,
and have promoted these posts on their corporate social media channels.

Electronics manufacturer Icom America featured a post introducing sat-
ellite operations to newcomers this week. The blog post, authored by
Jim Wilson, K5ND, is titled, "Satellite Operations – Amazing Technol-
ogy, Grids and Grins." The post is dated April 13, 2020.

In a social media post the same day, @IcomAmericaInc tweeted:
"Have you ever tried satellite operations? If you haven't, we have
a short blog by Jim Wilson @k5nd that can spark your interest.
Find out more at: https://bit.ly/2WWF0PU "

The blog entry, which includes many photos and graphics, offers some
basic information on satellites currently available, discusses ideas
for possible ground stations, and mentions satellite operating activi-
ties such as DX, grid chasing, and roaming. The post also includes a
link to amsat.org and promotes the 2019 Edition of Getting Started
with Amateur Satellites, published by AMSAT.

[ANS thanks Icom America for the above information]

Also, amateur radio retailer DX Engineering placed a satellite post in
the Technical Articles section of their "On All Bands" blog. The post,
by Sean Kutzko, KX9X, appeared on April 15.

Titled, "How to Predict and Track a Satellite Pass," the post offers a
basic primer on satellite tracking and reviews a number of online sat-
ellite tracking sites, as well as some of the available tracking soft-
ware and apps for Windows, iOS, and Android operating systems. SatPC32,
which is available through AMSAT, is prominently mentioned.

A Tweet from @SeanKutzko states: "To access a #hamradio satellite, you
have to know when it’s above the horizon and where to point your an-
tenna. My latest blog for @DXEngineering shows you how to do both!
https://onallbands.com/how-to-predict-and-track-a-satellite-pass/
@AMSAT #amsat #hamr #arrl #KX9X"

[ANS thanks Sean Kutzko, KX9X, for the above information]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Upcoming Satellite Operations

Due to COVID-19, there are no announced satellite operations at this
moment. Any roving activity of which AMSAT becomes aware will be post-
ed at:
https://www.amsat.org/satellite-info/upcoming-satellite-operations/

Until then, stay safe and keep making contacts from home.

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

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the
above information]


+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

    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/

+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+

ARISS News

ARISS lets students worldwide experience the excitement of talking
directly with crew members of the International Space Station, inspir-
ing them to pursue interests in careers in science, technology,
engineering and math, and engaging them with radio science technology
through amateur radio.

The ARISS team continues to test and firm up a plan to transform ARISS
contacts and how ARISS interacts with youth and education institutions.
ARISS will provide distance learning with every student and staff mem-
ber in their own homes (even quarantined).

[ANS thanks ARISS for the above information]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hamfests, Conventions, Maker Faires, and Other Events

Want to see AMSAT in action or learn more about amateur radio in space?
AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating
through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meet-
ings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.

Due to COVID-19, many hamfest and events around the United States have
been cancelled or postponed.  While we make every effort to ensure the
information contained below is correct, there may be some that we
missed. We wish all of you safekeeping and hope to be at a hamfest
near you soon.

Current schedule:

    (May 2, 2020) Arrowhead Radio Amateurs Club Hamfest, Superior, WI
       has been postponed to September 26, 2020
    June 12-13, 2020, Ham-Com, Plano, TX

The following events scheduled to have an AMSAT presence have been
CANCELED:

    March 21, 2020, Midwinter Madness Hamfest, Buffalo, MN
    March 21, 2020, Scottsdale Amateur Radio Club Hamfest,
              Scottsdale, AZ
    March 28, 2020, Tucson Spring Hamfest, Tucson, AZ
    March 29, 2020, Vienna Wireless Winterfest, Annandale, VA
    April 4, 2020 River Bend Wireless and Mechanical Society
              Presentation, Faribault, MN
    April 18, 2020 Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Club Hamfest,
              Brainerd, MN
    May 2, 2020, Cochise Amateur Radio Association Hamfest, Sierra
              Vista, AZ
    May 8-9, 2020 Prescott Hamfest, Prescott, AZ
    May 15-17, Hamvention, Xenia, OH

A copy of the AMSAT hamfest brochure is available for download from:
https://bit.ly/2ygVFmV  This color brochure is designed to be printed
double-sided and folded into a tri-fold handout.

To include your upcoming AMSAT presentation and/or demonstration,
please send an email to ambassadors (at) amsat (dot) org.

[ANS thanks Robert Bankston, KE4AL, AMSAT VP-User Services for the
above information]

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Satellite Shorts From All Over

+ The Hubble Space Telescope explores the universe 24 hours a day, 7
  days a week. That means it has observed some fascinating cosmic won-
  der every day of the year, including on your birthday. What did Hub-
  ble look at on your birthday? Enter the month and date to find out
  at:  https://go.nasa.gov/2RJeAxu
  (ANS thanks NASA.gov for the above information)

+ The Youth on the Air Camp in the Americas, a summer camp for licens-
  ed amateur radio operators ages 15 through 25 that was scheduled to
  take place June 21 through June 26, 2020 at the National Voice of
  America Museum of Broadcasting in West Chester Township (North Cin-
  cinnati), Ohio has been postponed until the summer of 2021 due to
  the COVID-19 pandemic. A satellite session had been planned for this
  event. For more information about YOTA in the Americas can be found
  at YouthOnTheAir.org.
  (ANS thanks Camp Director Neil Rapp, WB9VPG, for the above informa-
  tion)

+ Houston, we’ve had a problem. April 11th marked the 50th anniversary
  of Apollo 13’s launch. Check out the amazing Apollo 13 in Real Time
  to follow the mission as it happened or jump to any point in the mis-
  sion timeline) at: https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/  NASA also re-
  leased "Apollo 13: Home Safe," a 30 minute documentary that follows
  the mission, available at:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM8kjDF0IJU  Apollo 13 remains one
  of the greatest all-time feats of human ingenuity and improvisation
  under pressure.
  (ANS thanks The Orbital Index for the above information)

+ Space has not been insulated from the virus. An article cataloging
  some of the impacts of the pandemic on the spaceflight, "How the
  Coronavirus Outbreak is Affecting the Space Industry," can be found
  at: http://www.satmagazine.com/story.php?number=818620039
  (ANS thanks SatMagazine for the above information)

+ The International Space Station Expedition 62 crew, consisting of
  NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir, Flight Engineer Andrew Morgan,
  KI5AAA, and Commander Oleg Skripochka, RA0LDJ, departed the Interna-
  tional Space Station and landed in Kazakhstan on Friday, 17 April.
  The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft undocked from the aft port of the sta-
  tion's Zvezda service module at 0153z Friday, and landed on the
  Kazakh steppe at 0516z. The replacement crew, consisting of NASA
  astronaut Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR, and Roscosmos cosmonauts Anatoly
  Ivanishin and Ivan Vagner arrived at the ISS on April 9.
  (ANS thanks SpacelightNow for the above information)

+ ARRL members will now receive digital access to four ARRL magazines
  beginning with their latest issues. Joining QST and On the Air maga-
  zines on a digital platform will be the bimonthly editions of QEX —
  The Forum for Communications Experimenters and NCJ — National Con-
  test Journal.  Print subscriptions of QEX and NCJ will continue to
  be available at additional cost for those who want to receive them.
  All four magazines are easily accessed through any web browser from
  members-only links, or via the free ARRL Magazines app is available
  for iOS and Android.
  (ANS thanks ARRL for the above information)

+ Intelsat’s IS-901 satellite is nearly 20 years old, and well beyond
  its expected lifespan, but a small spacecraft built by Northrop
  Grumman succeeded in docking with the satellite and giving it an-
  other five years of service, the companies announced on Friday. The
  feat is a space industry first. Full article at:
  https://tinyurl.com/y7ta8qzr
  (ANS thanks Zach Metzinger, N0ZGO, and CNBC.com for the above infor-
  mation)


---------------------------------------------------------------------

/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 and Remember to help keep amateur radio in space,
This week's ANS Editor, Mark D. Johns, K0JM

k0jm at amsat dot org
_______________________________________________
Via the ANS mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA
https://www.amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ans