AMSAT NEWS SERVICE
ANS-333

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:

* AMSAT Settles Clean Room Lawsuits with Defendants
* UO-11 Calls Again
* BT3WX Special Event Station Celebrates Launch of XW-1 Amateur Satellite
* AMSAT Awards
* SKN on OSCAR 2010
* How's Satellite DX?
* ARISS Meets With Astronaut Hams
* SO-67 SumbandilaSat Control Team Invites Coordination Suggestions


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.01
AMSAT Settles Clean Room Lawsuits with Defendants

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.01
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.01

On October 20, 2009, AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW, Rick Hambly,
W2GPS, and Bob Davis, KF4KSS met with AMSAT attorney Bruce Bright and
participated in a mediation process to see if an agreement could be
reached with MDHawk Corporation, MIST, Hawk Institute for Space Sciences
(HISS) and University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) regarding the
AMSAT clean room litigation (See previous 'Apogee View' articles in the
AMSAT JOURNAL for background). After a full day of negotiations at the
Henson Center of UMES, an agreement was reached with the defendants that
averts further court litigation proceedings. The agreement calls for the
defendants to pay AMSAT $19,000.00 and AMSAT will leave the existing
cleanroom in place "as-is, where-is." In addition, AMSAT will remove the
portable storage unit ('POD') that currently sits on HISS property by
November 20, 2009 with payment by the defendants due by that date.

Per the agreement, by November 6 AMSAT removed the POD that was at the
HISS facility being used for outside storage and the $19,000.00 payment
was received last week from the defendants. Once the check clears,
AMSAT attorney Bruce Bright will file the appropriate paperwork to
dismiss both the case before the Circuit Court and the case before
the District Court that are pending.

The outcome of the negotiation leaves AMSAT in the following condition:

- We have $19,000.00 (minus legal fees owed to our attorney) to invest
in a new clean room at a new location in a manner that best serves
AMSAT.

- We avoided the cost of dismantling the existing clean room (including
electricians to disconnect power and plumbers to remove the fire sup-
pression system), placing it in storage (paying storage fees) and then
shipping to our new lab location (incurring relocation fees with a
moving company) once such a facility is finalized.

- We end all interaction with HISS, eliminating the need for volunteers
to travel to Pocomoke City, MD to be on scene to oversee/manage the
removal process of the existing clean room as well as enlist the local
amateurs who assisted us in the construction of the clean room in
2007-2008.

- We avoid the cost of future litigation, including the costs of taking
depositions, submission of legal briefs, and court costs. The cost of
going to court would likely wipe out a significant portion of any cash
that we might be able to secure from the legal process and there is no
guarantee that court action would result in a desirable outcome.

- Settling at this time allows AMSAT to focus on future opportunities
and not continue to allocate resources on resolving past actions.

AMSAT President Barry Baines noted, "This legal process over the
past year has been both frustrating and a 'learning experience'. The
'lessons learned' will be applied to future relationships. I look
forward to getting this legal process behind us and moving forward
on new opportunities."

[ANS thanks AMSAT President Barry Baines, WD4ASW for the above
information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.02
UO-11 Calls Again

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.02
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.02

Silent for 18 months, it seems as if 25 year old OSCAR-11 has
reactivated itself on 145.826 MHz. After its batteries failed,
UO-11 remained operational with good signals when its solar cells
were exposed to sufficient sunlight.

The UO-11 Control Station at G3CWV came out of retirement last week-
end with Clive noting, "I have received two reports from Keith N4ZQ
that he has heard UO-11 on 19 November at 13:33 - 13:43, and on 22
November at 13:02 UTC. The frequency is 145.826 MHz. Mode is FM."

Clive says, "I've been receiving good signals from the satellite
during the morning passes, when it was not in eclipse. However, on
November 27 nothing was heard this morning, so the watchdog timer
may have caused the bird to switch off. I would be interested in
any reports of reception AFTER 09:30 UTC 26 November."

Since last week, reception reports have been rolling in from around
the world:

KB2M reported he has been collecting telemetry from UO-11 for the
last week or so. His files are available for anyone decoding the
telemetry.

KU7Z heard strong signals from UO-11 on November 26 in Utah.

VK5DG heard UO-11 buzzing away over the west half of VK on November 26
at 0003 UTC.

NH6VB reported from Hawaii his 706MKIIG and Arrow antenna on a
photo tripod, copied a weak, barely above noise level, but it was
there.

ZL2BX says he heard very strong signals from UO-11 during the entire
pass on November 22. Up to 60db over S9 almost all pass. (TS-2000,
10 el yagis, preamp at ant). Also same report from VK2AYE.

W5IU heard the old familiar "buzz" loud and clear on a Yaesu FT-530
HT and a hand held three element Yagi on a November 23 pass over Fort
Worth, TX, this morning. It reached full scale on the FT-530 during
a good part of the pass.

K9MSG in Indianapolis reported that on November 24 he heard UO-11
on two passes using a ground plane vertical on a tower. Signals on
the first pass were S-2 to S-7 signal level and reception was very
noisy. The second pass of that day yielded reception at S-1 to S-3
with 1 to 3 second noise bursts.

Clive wraps up with, "Very many thanks to everyone who sent reception
reports of this satellite or posted them to the amsat-bb board. I've
been overwhelmed by the number received! I've replied to most, but my
apologies if I've missed anyone."

Further details, including an audio clip to help identify the satellite
are on Clive's OLD website at: http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew

[ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.03
BT3WX Special Event Station Celebrates Launch of XW-1 Amateur Satellite

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.03
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.03

To celebrate the launch of China's first amateur satellite, XW-1,
AMSAT-China will set up a special event station in Taiyuan, Shanxi
Province of China using the callsign BT3WX. The station plans to
operate on all HF amateur bands from 10 to 160 meters and on VHF/UHF
amateur satellite bands, including FM, SSB, CW, RTTY and PACSAT modes.

Operations at BT3WX have already commenced and the special event
station will remain active until XW-1 is launched. A specific launch
date has not been released as of press time, but is expected in
mid-December.

A team of 200 participants will consist of radio amateurs from all
around China, teachers and students, the State Radio Regulation Bureau
of China, the China Association for Science Technology, the Chinese
Society of Astronautics and the Chinese Radio Sports Association
officials, as well as journalists will participate in the operation of
BT3WX. Their goal is to inspire enthusiasm for amateur radio satellite
communications activities in China among radio amateurs and young peo-
ple learning satellite communication technology and space knowledge.

THE BT3WX operating team is as follows:
Team leader: BA1EO, Fan
Operation and Technology support: BD5RV, Michael Chen
Press release and QSL Manager: BA1DU, Alan Kung
(P.O.Box 8091, Beijing, CHINA 100088)

The operators include BA4RB, BA4RN, BA4RS, BA4RX, BA4TA, BA4TB,
BD4IBW, BD4REB, BD4RPJ, BD4XX, BH4REQ, BA6AA, BD6BW, BA7CK, BA7JG,
BD7PZL.

The equipment at the HF Station includes an Icom IC-756PROIII and
IC-7000. The HF antennas a

160/80M Ground Plane
40M 3ele Yagi
20/15M 5ele Yagi
10M 3ele Yagi
WARC Ground Plane
Power Amplifier: GO-2KW

At the Satellite station the gear will include an Icom IC-910H
feeding a VHF 7 element cross Yagi and UHF 13 element cross Yagi.

BT3WX Communications HF Award:
Stations completing two-way communications with BT3WX on 9 different
bands and modes can apply for the BT3WX HF communications award. The
same band in different modes counts as a different band / mode.

BT3WX Communications Satellite Award
Stations completing two-way communications with BT3WX through at
least two different mode of transponders can apply for the BT3WX
satellite communications award. The different modes can be through
the same satellite.

BT3WX Communications Awards applications mailing address:
AMSAT-China, P.O.Box 8091, Beijing, CHINA 100088
E-mail:

The XW-1 communications payload includes a beacon and three cross
band transponders operating in FM, linear, and digital modes.
Here is a Spacecraft Summary:

Common Name: XW-1
Alternate Name: CAS-1
Satellite Type: Microsatellite
Launch Date: TBD
Launch Location: Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center of China
Launch Vehicle: CZ-2C(LM-2C) Rocket
Apogee: 1200.00 km
Perigee: 1200.00 km
Inclination: 100.50 deg
Period: 109.00 min
Dimensions: 680mm*480mm (Envelope dimension), not including antennas

Weight: 60.000 Kg
Organization: CAMSAT

Frequency Information

Mode Beacon (200 mw):
Downlink 435.7900 MHz CW

Mode FM Voice Repeater (1 watt, PL: 67Hz):
Uplink: 145.8250 MHz FM
Downlink 435.6750 MHz FM

Mode Linear Transponder (1 watt, Inverting):
Uplink: 145.950 MHz SSB/CW
Downlink 435.740 MHz SSB/CW
The transponder is 50khz wide and centered on the frequencies given.

Mode PacSat BBS (1 watt):
Uplink: 145.8250 MHz AFSK 1200 BPS
Downlink 435.6750 MHz AFSK 1200 BPS

Antennas:
145 Mhz RX Antenna: 2.0dBi max, LHCP
435 Mhz TX Antenna: 3.0dBi max, RHCP

The AMSAT Satellite information page will be updated as the latest
information is received from AMSAT-China. Monitor this page for the
latest news: http://tinyurl.com/ylj9z5j

[ANS thanks Alan Kung, BA1DU and Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA for the
above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.04
AMSAT Awards

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.04
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.04

AMSAT Director Contests and Awards, Bruce KK5DO congratulates all
who have earned these AMSAT Awards:

The following have entered into the Satellite Communicators Club
for making their first satellite QSO:
Luis Benvenutty, WP4NYY
Zeljko Ulip, 9A2EY

The following have earned the AMSAT Satellite Communications
Achievement Award:
Rodney Waln, KC0ZHF #506
Neven Mrduljas, 9A5YY #507
Zeljko Ulip, 9A2EY #508

The following have earned the AMSAT Sexagesimal Award.
Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK #151
Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD #152
Nick Kucij, KB1RVT #153

The following have earned the AMSAT Century Club award.
Michael Klomfass, DH5MK #38

The following have earned the South Africa Communications
Achievement Award.
Rodney Waln, KC0ZHF #US138
Zeljko Ulip, 9A2EY #US139

The following have earned the W4AMI Achievement Award (for 1000
contacts)
Gail McDaniel, KB0RZD #57
Zeljko Ulip, 9A2EY #58

To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org.

[ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.05
SKN on OSCAR 2010

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.05
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.05

All radio amateurs, worldwide, are cordially invited to participate
in AMSAT's Straight Key Night on OSCAR 2010.

Participating in SKN on OSCAR 2010 is easy. No rules, no scoring and
no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR between
0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 January 2010, using a straight hand key.

In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants
are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." Your
nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those
you worked. Please send your nomination to . A list of
those nominated will appear in ANS and The AMSAT Journal.

CU SKN de W2RS!

[ANS thanks Ray, W2RS for the above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.06
How's Satellite DX?

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.06
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.06

AO-51 Contact ZL2BX from McMurdo Station Antarctica

Bill, K7MT has activated Antarctica as KC4USV on AO-51. He worked
Alan, ZL2BX from the McMurdo Station Antarctica on November 27.
Bill plans more satellite operation this weekend when he is off
for two days. Hopefully more VK's and ZL's will hear "Cheers from
McMurdo Station Antarctica KC4USV."

Iceland to W7 via AO-7

Bob, W7LRD reported he recently worked Ari, TF3ARI in Iceland on
AO-7. The AO-7 footprint from TF will cover most of the U.S.!
Contacts via AO-51 between US East Coast stations and Iceland
were reported by John, K8YSE

[ANS thanks Terry, ZL3QL; Bill, K7MT/KC4USV; Bob, W7LRD for the
above information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.07
ARISS Meets With Astronaut Hams

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.07
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.07

ISS Ham Debrief Held with Astronaut Michael Barratt

On November 16, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station
(ARISS) team members participated in an ISS Ham debrief session
with Expedition 19/20 astronaut Michael Barratt. Barratt provided
the team with feedback about the ARISS contacts held during his
ISS mission. The feedback will be used to fine-tune ARISS program
operations.

Astronaut Training Status

Two training sessions were held this week with astronauts Tracy
Caldwell, KF5DBF and Dan Burbank, KC5ZSX. Both astronauts were given
the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) basic
operations and school contact course. Caldwell also received her
preflight overview as she is scheduled to fly with Expedition 23 in
April 2010. Burbank will fly with Expedition 29 in September 2011.

[ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI and the ARISS Status Report for the above
information]

/EX


SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-333.08
SO-67 SumbandilaSat Control Team Invites Coordination Suggestions

AMSAT News Service Bulletin 333.08
From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD.
November 29, 2009
To All RADIO AMATEURS
BID: $ANS-333.08

Jan-Albert, ZR1JAK, wrote on behalf of the SO-67 SumbandilaSat
team, "Given that the SA-AMSAT payload on SO-67 is shared with
the satellite's back-up TT&C transponder, there is unfortunately
not a way to keep the payload switched on permanently, or even
semi-permanently. For the lifetime of the satellite we will there-
fore have to do with active scheduling."

In an effort to make this as painless as possible, ZR1AJK requests
comments on the possible use of regional coordinators, which worked
quite well for SO-35. Such coordinators would then be responsible for
setting up schedules in advance for their specific regions, taking
into account obviously the pool of possible satellite passes, as well
as local events / fairs etc. The SO-67 Command Station would then
simply load the schedules on a weekly basis.

The initial focus has been on Europe, RSA, South America, North Amer-
ica, Canada, Japan and Australia, and New Zealand, ZR1JAK invites
suggestions for amateur radio use of the payload over other regions
as well.

In regards to questions of possible activation at night he explained,
"This is entirely possible, but would have to be planned and managed
more actively, given the power limitations in eclipse. We have yet to
experiment with this and see what the available capacity would be.

Interested satellite operators are invited to e-mail responses to the
AMSAT bulletin board, or if you prefer, to ZR1JAK's work address:
jak "at" sunspace "dot" co "dot" za.

[ANS thanks Jan-Albert, ZR1JAK 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. And with that,
consider what sound does a space turkey make? Hubble, hubble, hubble,
of course.

73,
This week's ANS Editor,
JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM
K9JKM at amsat dot org