AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-062

ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North
America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS 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.

Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to:


In this edition:

* Reminder - AMSAT-DC Meeting on March 15
* 2007 Symposium DVD Now in the AMSAT Store
* AO-51 Schedule Update
* IEEE Student Microwave PA Design Competition
* MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2008 Announcement
* Satellite Activity Planned for Swan Island DXpedition
* WorkedGrids Software Released
* PCSAT Re-Enters Eclipse
* ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 25, 2008


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.01
Reminder - AMSAT-DC Meeting on March 15

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.01

2008 AMSAT-DC MEETING AND SPACE SEMINAR

WHO: YOU are invited! Amateur radio operators, students,
educators and the public are all invited.

WHAT: Talks, demos, tutorials and socializing about amateur
satellites and high-altitude balloon experiments in the
greater mid-Atlantic USA area. A full day of activities!

WHEN: Saturday, March 15, 2008, starting at 11:00 A.M. local.

WHE Historical Electronics Museum (HEM) at 1745 West Nursery
Road, Linthicum, Maryland 21090 (near BWI airport). In
Pioneer Hall. HEM directions at http://www.hem-usa.org/

WHY: Fun, education, public service, training, cool stuff,
and more fun.

HOW: Talk-in on 146.760 MHz (107.2 Hz PL on some receiver
sites)

HOST: Pat Kilroy, or

WEB: Check the AMSAT-DC page http://patkilroy.com/amsat-dc/
for late breaking news.

[ANS thanks Pat, N8PK for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.02
2007 Symposium DVD Now in the AMSAT Store

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.02

Bruce, KK5DO, AMSAT Store Manager is quite pleased to announce a new
item just added to the AMSAT store. It is the long awaited 2007 AMSAT
Symposium DVD. To order yours contact Martha at the AMSAT office,
telephone 301 589-6062.

This is a must for anyone that was not able to attend the 2007 AMSAT
Symposium in Pittsburgh or those that attended who would like the
Symposium on DVD.

This DVD has all of the 2007 papers, PowerPoints and audio of the
presentations. Additional features of this DVD are the Symposium papers
from 2004 and 2005, ISS Columbus module video and much more.

[ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.03
AO-51 Schedule Update

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.03

The March 2008 AO-51 schedule isn't on the web site yet but will be
soon. The Operations Team has changed the links on the AO-51 page.

The AO-51 News and Text Schedule link will give you the most up
to date information about the AO-51 schedule.

The Control Team Operating Schedule Grid link will take you the
operating grid page, but many of the modes we are running can't
be programmed into the grid yet and therefore the grid can't be
displayed. We are working on changing the software to display
the new modes in the grid format.

[ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM and the AO-51 Operations Team for the
above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.04
IEEE Student Microwave PA Design Competition

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.04

MTT-5 (High Power Amplifier Components) is pleased to announce the
Fourth High Efficiency Power Amplifier Competition, which will take
place at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (IMS), in
2008.

This competition is open to all students and graduate students
registered at an educational establishment. The competitors are
required to design, construct, and measure a high efficiency
power amplifier, at a frequency of their choice above 1 GHz but
less than 20 GHz, and having an output power level of at least 5
watts, but less than 100 watts. The winner will be judged on the
design, which demonstrates the highest power added efficiency
(PAE).

The power amplifiers must be brought to IMS2008 where they will be
tested to verify their performance. A representative of the design
group must be present at the testing to assist with the evaluation.
The winner will receive a prize of $1,000, and will be invited to
submit a paper describing the design for the MTT Microwaves Magazine.

Questions can be sent to Dr. Kiki Ikossi at
The power amplifier (PA) design may use any type of technology, but
must be the result of student effort both in the amplifier design and
fabrication.

See: http://www.ims2008.org/publications/...TER08-RevA.pdf

[ANS thanks Art, W4ART for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.05
MicroHAMS Digital Conference 2008 Announcement

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.05

Announcing the second annual MicroHAMS Digital Conference! The event
will be held this year on the main Microsoft campus located in Redmond,
WA on March 22nd, 2008.

The agenda this year will include a wide variety of topics around
digital communications and Amateur radio. Lunch and snacks are included
with the price of the conference and we'll have free Internet access.

Because of space limitations and parking requirements on the Microsoft
campus, we are strongly suggesting pre-registering for the event. Reg-
istration is $12.00 if done prior to the event and will be $15.00 at
the door. Door Prizes include donations from Icom and MicroHAMS.

Event Details
Date/Time: March 22, 2008 09:00 to 17:00
Location: Redmond, WA (Building 122 on the Microsoft Corporate Campus)
Lunch: Sub sandwiches and snacks (included with registration fee)
Cost: $12.00 if pre-paid or $15.00 at the door.

Registration: http://www.microhams.com/digitalconference

[ANS thanks Bob, W7LRD for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.06
Satellite Activity Planned for Swan Island DXpedition

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.06

Bill, NZ5N says that HQ8R will be operating on the satellites from Swan
Island, grid EK87, from March 15-23. See http://www.hondurasdx.com/

Bill will be taking his FT-817 and an Arrow antenna. Time permitting,
he will also try to make a few contacts before and after the expedition
from the Honduran mainland (Grids: EK55, EK65 and EK75). Weather
permitting, he may also try to give out EK76 from the boat on the way
to and from the island.

[ANS thanks Bill, NZ5N for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.07
WorkedGrids Software Released

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.07

Bert, VE2ZAZ released WorkedGrids, ham log grid square mapping
software this week. It is freeware and it runs under Windows. The
program displays a map showing the amateur radio grid squares con-
tacted and logged in using third-party logging program.

WorkedGrids uses colors to display information on a per-band basis.
Up to four bands can be displayed concurrently on the map. The pro-
gram reads plain-text (ASCII) log files generated by most logging
programs.

The software is directed towards the VHF and above operators who
collect grid squares for contesting or award purposes. It is
designed to supplement a logging program and it replaces the pen
and paper technique for marking worked grid squares.

Please visit http://ve2zaz.net for more details. Your input is welcome!

[ANS thanks Bert, VE2ZAZ for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.08
PCSAT Re-Enters Eclipse

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.08

PCSAT-1 was fully operational from 8 to about 23 Feb 2008 during
full sun oribts. PCSAT has re-entered eclipses which marks the end
February's Satellite Simulated Emergency Test. Bob, WB4APR received
31 reports of AMSAT users sending their SSET Email and receiving it.

When the 145.825 MHz RS0ISS-4 packet digipeater is active aboard the
ISS users can continue to send SSET test e-mail messages. PCSAT does
work for a few lucky packets during mid-day passes. The next full sun
operating period will not occur until the Fall.

See: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html for more information
on how you can participate in SSET.

[ANS thanks Bob, WB4APR for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-062.09
ARISS Status Report for the Week of February 25, 2008

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 062.09
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
March 2, 2008
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-062.09

1. School Contacts

An ARISS contact took place with College Reydellet in Saint-Denis,
Ile de La Réunion on Monday, February 25. Approximately 550 students,
ages 10-17, attend the school. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD
/KE5FNO, participated in this contact which was conducted in French.

An ARISS contact has been scheduled for Lycée de la Borde Basse in
Castres, France on Wednesday, March 5. In preparation for the contact,
teachers will focus on science applications and the ISS. Activities
planned include a visit to the Cité de l’espace in Toulouse and a
meeting with a scientist residing in Castres, founder of the “Terre
et Espace” association (Earth & Space), who has volunteered to give
a presentation to the students on work in space and astronaut training
techniques. Students will be divided into different study groups accord-
ing to personal interest in various related subjects such as the imple-
mentation and launch of ISS space modules, re-supply missions, life in
micro-gravitational environments and experiments carried out onboard
the ISS. Students will prepare questions in French and English on
various subjects. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts, FX0STD/KE5FNO, plans

to participate in this contact.

2. Robspierre School Contact Successful

On Thursday, February 21, students at Robespierre Elementary School in
Rueil Malmaison, France experienced an ARISS contact. Sixteen students
asked one question each of ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts,
FX0STD/KE5FNO.
Approximately two hundred students, teachers, parents and others in the
community attended. Prior to the contact, talks were given to the stu-
dents about space, the Columbus module, amateur radio, AMSAT-France and
ARISS. The national newspapers France Soir, le Parisien and Espace
Magazine, and radio and television stations France Inter, RTL, Europe 1
covered the news.

3. ESA Press Release on Eyharts - ARISS Contacts

The European Space Agency (ESA) announced the ARISS contacts that ESA
astronaut Leopold Eyharts will participate in. The notice was posted
on its Web site. See:
http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Columbus...JYVHJCF_0.html

4. ARISS International Team Meeting Held

On February 19, the monthly ARISS Team teleconference was held. Topics
of discussion included the upcoming ARISS Face to Face Meeting, the
Amateur
Radio Working Group (ARWG) and SuitSat-2. Minutes have been posted to
the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2008-02-19.htm

5. ARISS Presentation at Embedded Systems Conference
ARISS member Steve Bible, N7HPR, will present the amateur radio
satellite
SuitSat-1 as a “teardown” subject for the Embedded Systems
Conference in
San Jose, California on April 16, 2008. He will also speak on the
current
development of SuitSat-2. See:
http://www.cmp-egevents.com/web/esv/...downs?cid=ESCW
K8

6. ARISS – One Reason to Love the ISS

On February 14, Universe Today published an article, “I Heart the ISS:

Ten Reasons to Love the International Space Station.” Reason number 6
cites ARISS and EarthKAM as educational programs that the general public

can participate in. See:
http://www.universetoday.com/2008/02...-reasons-to-lo
ve-
the-international-space-station/

7. Crew Debrief Sessions

Two ISS crewmembers will participate in ARISS debrief sessions during
the upcoming week. Space visitor Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS,
is scheduled for Tuesday, February 26, and astronaut Dan Tani will
participate in a short session on February 29.

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information]

/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 additional benefits.
Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office.


73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM