Tag Archives: Amateur Radio

Jul 8 2014

UKube-1 Signals Received

UKube-1 Launch Cake

UKube-1 Launch Cake

The UKube-1 satellite was successfully launched on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 1558 UT from Pad 31/6 at Baikonur in Kazakhstan. The 145.840 MHz beacon signal was received by the UKube team in Chilbolton at 19:16 UT.

It had been expected the first signal would be received over South Africa at about 18:52 UT but no signals were heard. The UKube team at Chilbolton and radio amateurs across the British Isles and Europe anxiously awaited the satellite coming within range, when it did a strong signal was heard from the satellite. The FUNcube-2 beacon on 145.915 MHz was also activated and received well.

Practical Wireless magazine VHF columnist Tim Kirby @G4VXE was one of the radio amateurs listening, he tweeted “Pleased to receive CW from UKube-1 on the first pass over the UK”.

Signals have also been received from DX-1 and the SSTL research satellite TechEdSat which were on the same launch as UKube-1.

UKube-1 carries a set of AMSAT-UK FUNcube boards which provide an educational beacon for use by schools and a linear transponder for amateur radio communications. Presently, commissioning of the spacecraft is continuing, and there may be future occasions when the 145.915 MHz FUNcube  telemetry transmitter will be activated during this period. The transponder is not expected to be available until later in the mission.

UKube-1 in flight configuration in the cleanroom at Clyde Space Ltd - Credit Steve Greenland

UKube-1 in flight configuration in the cleanroom at Clyde Space Ltd – Credit Steve Greenland

The first submitters of UKube-1 telemetry data to the FUNcube Data Warehouse were:
– DK3WN
– OO1A
– F-60429
– G0PGL
– G4GUO
– PD3T
– M0LTC
The current UKube-1/FUNcube-2 Rankings can be seen at http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/ranking.html?satelliteId=1

The UKube team has asked that all stations continue to monitor the downlinks and where possible to forward their reports as follows:
– CW beacon on 145.840 MHz to operations@funcube.org.uk and steve.greenland@clyde-space.com
– FUNcube telemetry (when activated) on 145.915 MHz – your existing dashboard will not display properly (except for the Fitter Messages!) but it WILL be forwarding it to the Warehouse correctly and the data will be very useful for the team.

UKube-1 CubeSat at Clyde Space

UKube-1 CubeSat at Clyde Space

Dashboard App – Telemetry Decoder http://funcube.org.uk/working-documents/funcube-telemetry-dashboard/

Data Warehouse – Telemetry Archive http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/

Nico Janssen PA0DLO has posted on the AMSAT Bulletin Board that Doppler measurements suggest that UKube-1 is either object 40074, 2014-037F, or object 40075, 2014-037G. The separation between these objects is now only 1 s, so no more than 7.5 km.

Keplerian Two Line Elements (TLEs) ‘Keps’ of new satellites launched in past 30 days http://celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/tle-new.txt

UKube-1 frequencies:
• 145.840 MHz Telemetry downlink
• 145.915 MHz FUNcube subsystem beacon
• 400 mW inverting linear transponder for SSB and CW
– 435.080-435.060 MHz Uplink
– 145.930-145.950 MHz Downlink
• 2401.0 MHz S Band Downlink
• 437.425-437.525 MHz UKSEDS myPocketQub Downlink

Watch UKube-1 CubeSat payload animation

Watch the launch vehicle integration of UKube-1 and the other satellites

Watch the Soyuz roll out

Watch the launch

There will be a presentation on the UKube-1 FUNcube-2 amateur radio payload at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium being held at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ on July 26-27, the event is open to all, further details at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2014/

Peter Goodhall @2E0SQL made this recording of UKube-1 CW and Data
https://soundcloud.com/peter-goodhall/ukube-1-satellite-first-pass-over-the-uk

UK Space Agency announcement https://www.gov.uk/government/news/successful-launch-for-uk-space-agencys-first-cubesat-mission

UKube-1 (United Kingdom Universal Bus Experiment 1)
https://eoportal.org/web/eoportal/satellite-missions/u/ukube-1

UKube-1 Launch Information https://amsat-uk.org/2014/07/03/ukube-1-launch-information/

DX-1 Satellite https://amsat-uk.org/2014/07/04/dx-1-appeal-to-radio-hams-from-dauria-aerospace/

Jul 7 2014

PhD Student Receives FUNcube Dongle SDR

FUNcube Dongle Pro+ Software Defined Radio

FUNcube Dongle Pro+ Software Defined Radio

The University of Birmingham reports that Graham Kirkby, a PhD student in the Space Environment and Radio Engineering group, School of Electronic, Electrical and Computer Engineering, has won the prize for the best student presentation at the 2014 UK CubeSat Forum Workshop

The workshop was hosted by the Satellite Applications Catapult Centre and brought together 150 representatives from over 100 organisations in the UK and international CubeSat community.

Graham’s research focuses on the development of antennas for the Wideband Ionospheric CubeSat Sounder Experiment (WISCER). CubeSats are small satellites that conform to the CubeSat standard developed by CalPoly and Stanford University. WISCER is a 3U cubesat (10×10×30 cm) that aims to provide measurements of the wideband ionospheric radio channel as a precursor to future space radars.

The prize included a FUNcube Dongle Pro, kindly donated by AMSAT-UK. This is a small USB software defined radio that has been developed to allow communications with the FUNcube CubeSat.

Source: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/eece/news/UK-cubesat-forum-workshop.aspx

FUNcube Dongle SDR http://FUNcubeDongle.com/

Jul 4 2014

DX-1 Appeal to radio hams from Dauria Aerospace

DX-1 in space - Image credit Dauria Aerospace

DX-1 in space – Image credit Dauria Aerospace

The DX-1 satellite, built by Dauria Aerospace, launches from Pad 31/6 at Baikonur in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 15:58:28 UT. It weighs 27 kg and is 40x40x30 cm. Dauria Aerospace have posted the following information:

Dauria Aerospace microsatellite DX-1

Dauria Aerospace microsatellite DX-1

Finally, close to the accomplishment of our long-awaited event – the launch of the spacecraft DX1 Tuesday, July 8. We would like to ask for help to all radio amateurs who are interested in receiving signals spacecraft. Invite you to participate in the “catching” our satellite immediately after the start.

Start will be at 19:58 Moscow time from the Baikonur cosmodrome. Based on the parameters of the orbit, its separation from the upper stage and the inclusion happen over Eastern Europe, and it will return to Russia after only a few turns of a few hours from the Far East. Therefore, our MCC in Moscow will hold the first session the next day. Beacon satellite broadcasts in amateur radio frequency, so everyone will be able to hear it before us. Moreover, such aid, we need to clarify and confirm its orbit performance. Therefore, our gratitude will be backed up souvenirs for the lucky hunters from around the world.

Parameters of the radio beacon mode:

Carrier frequency: 438.225 MHz [it is understood there is a 145 MHz command uplink]
The protocol used: AX.25
Call Sign source: DSC001
Call Sign Receiver: Dauria
Size TMI frame within AX.25 packet: 55 bytes
Speed: 9600 bit / s
Modulation GFSK

Source: http://habrahabr.ru/company/dauria/blog/228669/

Google English Version http://tinyurl.com/pdueyt2

It is understood the satellite will also be using the following frequencies:
• 162.0125-162.0375 MHz Uplink – AIS ship tracking receiver
• 2269.5-2270.5 MHz Downlink – Data

Watch DX-1 on Russian TV

Dauria Aerospace http://dauriaspace.com/ Blog http://tinyurl.com/Dauria-Aerospace-Blog

DX-1 Microsatellite to launch from Baikonur https://amsat-uk.org/2014/04/27/dx-1-microsatellite-baikonur/

Jul 3 2014

UKube-1 Launch Information

UKube-1 in flight configuration in the cleanroom at Clyde Space Ltd - Credit Steve Greenland

UKube-1 in flight configuration in the cleanroom at Clyde Space Ltd – Credit Steve Greenland

UKube-1, the UK Space Agency’s first CubeSat, carries a set of AMSAT-UK FUNcube boards with an amateur radio linear transponder and educational beacon for use in schools. The launch is scheduled from Pad 31/6 at Baikonur in Kazakhstan on Tuesday, July 8, 2014 at 15:58:28 UT (4:58 BST) and to be deployed from the final stage of the Soyuz-2-1B/Fregat-M launch vehicle at 18:32:42 UT.

It had been hoped the launch would be live at http://www.roscosmos.ru/317/ or at http://tv-tsenki.com/live.php but this did not occur.

UKube-1 CubeSat installed in Deployment Pod

UKube-1 CubeSat installed in Deployment Pod

The UKube-1 Operations Team have issued a Launch Briefing. This is accompanied by a spreadsheet showing the anticipated UK passes for the first orbits together with a worksheet showing the telemetry equations.

These documents can be downloaded at http://funcube.org.uk/news/

UKube-1 carries a number of experiments and payloads and also the FUNcube-2 transponder and  telemetry sub-system. This is intended to support the current, very successful, operations of FUNcube-1 and to provide an even better operational capability for schools and colleges to use for hands on educational outreach around the world. Further details of the educational outreach opportunities are available here http://funcube.org.uk/education-outreach/

When the FUNcube-2 sub-system is activated, the 1k2 BPSK telemetry will be downlinked on 145.915 MHz in the same way as already happens with FUNcube-1.

A new FUNcube-2 Dashboard UI will be released shortly. This will integrate directly with the existing FUNcube Central Data Warehouse and existing usernames and authorisation codes can be re-used.

UKube-1 ready for launch

UKube-1 ready for launch

When the transponder is activated, the downlink passband will be 145.930 to 145.950 MHz and the uplink passband  will be 435.080 to 435.060 MHz.

It is anticipated that the FUNcube sub-system may be tested for short periods during the next few weeks depending upon how the LEOP plan progresses.

AMSAT-UK personnel will be supporting the UKube-1 operations team at Chilbolton during the immediate post launch period and will be ensuring that regular status reports are made available via the #cubesat IRC channel.

A web client is available at http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=#cubesat

AMSAT-UK and their colleagues at AMSAT-NL, are delighted that UKube-1 is carrying this FUNcube sub-system and wishes every success to the UKube Operations Team and to all the many contributors to the project.

Steve Greenland of Clyde Space receives the AMSAT-UK FUNcube-2 boards that will be incorporated into UKube-1

Steve Greenland of Clyde Space receives the AMSAT-UK FUNcube-2 boards to be incorporated into UKube-1

There will be a presentation on the satellite’s amateur radio payload at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium being held at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ on July 26-27, the event is open to all, further details at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2014/

UKube-1 frequencies:
• 145.840 MHz Telemetry downlink
• 145.915 MHz FUNcube subsystem beacon
• 400 mW inverting linear transponder for SSB and CW
– 435.080 -435.060 MHz Uplink
– 145.930 -145.950 MHz Downlink
• 2401.0 MHz S Band Downlink
• 437.425-437.525 MHz UKSEDS myPocketQub Downlink

Video of the Soyuz-2 rocket being prepared for the launch

Soyuz 2-1B – Meteor-M #2 Launch Updates
http://www.spaceflight101.com/soyuz-2-1b—meteor-m-2-launch-updates.html

Check Twitter accounts of Helen Walker ‏@SheAstronomer and Steve Greenland @strickengremlin for tweets on UKube-1 launch.

FUNcube website http://www.funcube.org.uk/

FUNcube Yahoo Group https://amsat-uk.org/funcube/yahoo-group/

FUNcube Forum http://forum.funcube.org.uk/

Like AMSAT-UK on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/AMSATUK

Data Warehouse – Telemetry Archive http://warehouse.funcube.org.uk/

Dashboard App – Telemetry Decoder http://funcube.org.uk/working-documents/funcube-telemetry-dashboard/

There will be a presentation on the FUNcube boards on UKube-1 at the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium which will be held on July 26-27, 2014 at the Holiday Inn, Guildford, GU2 7XZ, United Kingdom. The event is open to all, further details at https://amsat-uk.org/colloquium/colloquium-2014/

Jul 2 2014

OSCAR Numbers for QB50p1 and QB50p2 CubeSats

QB50p1 and QB50p2 - Image Credit ISIS

QB50p1 and QB50p2 – Image Credit ISIS

Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG reports on the two QB50 precursor satellites QB50p1 and QB50p2, launched on June 19, 2014 carrying amateur radio transponders.

The QB50 precursor satellites are in good health and still being commissioned. These satellites are part of a risk-reduction program for the QB50 main mission.

These satellites are also carrying amateur radio transponders:
– QB50p1 carries the FUNcube-3 transponder system by AMSAT-UK and AMSAT-NL
– QB50p2 carries an FM transponder by AMSAT-Francophone

I am grateful to be able to announce that these two CubeSat Satellites have been awarded OSCAR numbers by AMSAT-NA: QB50p1 shall be known as European OSCAR 79 or EO-79, and QB50p2 shall be known as European OSCAR 80 or EO-80. Thank you AMSAT-NA!

The transponders are expected to be switched on after the main mission, which lasts about 6 months depending on progress made.

Details about sending in reports and decoding the beacons can be found on the ISIS Ham Radio page at
http://isispace.nl/HAM/qb50p.html

Mike Rupprecht DK3WN has kindly made and published a software decoder based on the published formats at his website: http://tinyurl.com/SatSoftwareDK3WN/

Thanks all for your support and reports, they are much appreciated!

Kind Regards,

Wouter Weggelaar PA3WEG
AMSAT-NL
QB50p team

Read all about QB50 on the project website at https://qb50.eu/

Jun 30 2014

ISS Active for National Field Day

Reid Wiseman KF5LKT - Image credit NASA

Reid Wiseman KF5LKT – Image credit NASA

Patrick ‏Stoddard WD9EWK has released a video showing the participation of the International Space Station (ISS) in the ARRL Field Day (June 28-29).

His description reads:

NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman KF5LKT, operating as NA1SS from the International Space Station during the 2014 ARRL Field Day on Saturday, June 28, 2014, at 1815-1822 UT.

After announcements of possible participation of the ISS amateur radio station in the 2014 ARRL Field Day, it was nice to hear Reid on the radio. Among the stations making contact with NA1SS on this pass, I was able to make a brief contact as the ISS was about to go over Arizona.

The WD9EWK station used for this contact, and to record the NA1SS audio, was an Icom IC-2820H 2m/70cm FM mobile transceiver, transmitting at 5W into an Elk Antennas handheld 2m/70cm log periodic antenna. The radio was powered by a 12V/26Ah jumpstart battery.

Watch NA1SS in ARRL Field Day – 28 June 2014, 1815-1822 UT

ISS Fan Club http://issfanclub.com/

Since arriving on the International Space Station on May 29, 2014 astronaut Reid Wiseman KF5LKT has been active on Twitter as well as amateur radio. The Washington Post newspaper reports on the stunning images he has been tweeting from space, read the story at
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2014/07/01/39-reminders-why-this-astronaut-won-twitter-in-june/

Reid Wiseman KF5LKT on Twitter @astro_reid