Tag Archives: Amateur Radio

May 19 2014

ITAR restrictions on US radio amateurs to be eased

ITARThe International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) inexplicably applies to amateur radio satellites. It threatens US radio hams with jail terms or six figure fines if they cooperate with amateurs outside the USA on satellite projects. Cooperation includes talking about or publishing on the web certain information regarding amateur radio satellite systems.

Satellite Today reports that after 15 years of restrictions and intense scrutiny, the United States Department of State is reclassifying satellites and several related components so they will no longer be treated as weapons. The changes affect Category 15 of the U.S. Munitions List (USML), which covers spacecraft and related articles, by shifting most commercial, civil and scientific satellites and accompanying equipment to the Department of Commerce’s Commerce Control List (CCL).

“The Department [of State] has committed to reviewing during the six months after the publication of this rule whether further amendments to the USML controls on civil and commercial remote sensing satellites are warranted, and seeks additional public comment on this matter,” according to a statement released by the Federal Register.

This rule is effective November 10, 2014, except for Sec. 121.1, Category XV(d), which is effective June 27, 2014. Interested parties may submit comments on paragraphs (a)(7) and (e)(11) of USML Category XV and ITAR Sec. 124.15 by June 27, 2014.

Read the Satellite Today article http://www.satellitetoday.com/regional/2014/05/16/new-us-satellite-export-reforms-gets-positive-response-from-industry/

Federal Register – Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List Category XV https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/05/13/2014-10806/amendment-to-the-international-traffic-in-arms-regulations-revision-of-us-munitions-list-category-xv

Among the projects affected by ITAR has been the New Zealand Amateur Radio satellite KiwiSAT. A 2009 IARU Region 3 report highlights that ITAR requirements made AMSAT-NA direct its members to cease cooperation with AMSAT-ZL in the development of KiwiSAT. http://www.iaru-r3.org/14r3c/docs/046.doc

ITAR impact on the Eagle project https://web.archive.org/web/20140327205527/http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/eagle/

The 2005 amateur radio P3E IHU project killed by ITAR http://www.amsat-dl.org/p3e/bericht-ihu3-0205-e.pdf

Export Control Reform initiative http://export.gov/%5C/ecr/index.asp

April 2012 ITAR – Section 1248 Report Released
https://amsat-uk.org/2012/04/22/itar-1248-report-released/

April 2012 ITAR and Amateur Radio – Progress Report
https://amsat-uk.org/2012/04/29/itar-and-amateur-radio-progress-report/

Read the Section 1248 Space Export Control Report
http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2011/0111_nsss/docs/1248_Report_Space_Export_Control.pdf

2011 ITAR submission by the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT)
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/images/fck_images/AMSAT%20ITAR%20Comments%20Final.pdf

2009 AMSAT files CJ requests with US State Department
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/august2009/amsat_files_cj_requests.htm

ITAR in ARRL Executive Committee Minutes https://amsat-uk.org/2012/04/19/itar-in-arrl-executive-committee-minutes/

ITAR impact on satellite launches http://www.spacequest.com/Articles/SSC03-II-1%20SpaceQuest.pdf

May 18 2014

In-Person Meeting for ARISS International

International Space Station - Image Credit NASA

International Space Station – Image Credit NASA

The ARRL report representatives of the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) International partners met in person last month for the first time in 2-1/2 years to reassess the program’s direction and to consider new objectives.

The European Space Agency (ESA) hosted the April 3-5 gathering at its European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in The Netherlands. ARISS International Secretary-Treasurer Rosalie White, K1STO, represented the ARRL at the sessions. ARISS International Chair and AMSAT-NA Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, presided.

Former ESA astronaut Gerhard Thiele, DG1KIL, welcomed the representatives. Thiele, who heads ESA’s Human Spaceflight and Operations Strategic Planning and Outreach office, told the gathering that ESA recognizes the benefit to students of being able to communicate with the ISS crew directly via Amateur Radio, and that students learn a lot as a result of these ARISS contacts.

ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station

ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space Station

In a wide-ranging presentation, ARISS International Project Selection & Use Committee representative Lou McFadin, W5DID, addressed long-term equipment possibilities. Among other requirements, McFadin said, ARISS should have the ability to control its equipment from Earth, and he said that developing software-defined equipment would permit this. He also spoke of the need for an “override power switch,” as the astronauts need to shut down ARISS equipment during safety-critical events such as spacecraft dockings or spacewalks. Given the paucity of space aboard the ISS, ARISS also must minimize the amount of real estate its equipment occupies, McFadin said. He also noted that there is “little or no” ISS crew time to address ISS ham gear issues.

McFadin further discussed the advantages of installing a mobile VHF/UHF transceiver in the Columbus module that has higher power capabilities, similar to the Kenwood D-700 located in the Service Module. In recent months crew members have been using a 5 W Ericsson hand-held transceiver for school contacts, and signal levels have been lower than the team would prefer. McFadin suggested that a portable mobile system with a power output of 15 W or greater might improve this situation.

Read the full ARRL story at
http://www.arrl.org/news/ariss-international-partners-regroup-at-first-in-person-meeting-since-2011

ARISS ESTEC meeting minutes and committee reports http://www.ariss.org/meeting-minutes.html

May 18 2014

BBC TV: Radio Hams Balloon Flight and Pocket Spacecraft

Malawi Hgh Altitude BalloonRadio amateurs Jerry Sandys G8DXZ, Andrew Ashe G8SRV and Michael Johnson M0MJJ appeared in the May 17 edition of the BBC TV technology show Click which is now available on the web. (Overseas viewers may need to use a UK based proxy server)

Jerry Sandys G8DXZ along with other APJHAB team members, Peter Gibbs (BBC weather presenter) and Andrew Ashe G8SRV flew three balloons during a week long High Altitude Balloon (HAB) holiday in Malawi. The first flight was from Mumbo Island in Lake Malawi and was successfully recovered after landing on the lake. The second flight was from Mvuu Wilderness Camp on the bank of the River Shire. The BBC technology show “Click” sent a camera operator to film the second flight and shot a 3:30 minute segment for the show.

Malawi Recovering the PayloadBy the time they arrived at Kumbali for the third flight, they didn’t have enough Hydrogen left to lift the electronic payload so decided to do a “message in a bottle” flight released by three young school children. Jerry says the look on the children’s faces as their messages, attached to the red cloud buster, disappeared into the sky was amazing.

The team flew a RTTY Arduino tracker and also an Iridium Arduino tracker, both worked well. On the second flight they also flew a two tube Geiger counter as an experiment for Reading University. A Hero 3 GoPro and Polaroid sport camera was used for photography.

Watch the Click High Altitude Balloon (HAB) segment at 12:55 into the show
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b044trs9/click-17052014

BBC weather presenter Peter Gibbs has written an article about their experience, read it and also watch the video at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-27406041

To get up-to-date information on balloon flights subscribe to the UKHAS Mailing List by sending a blank email to this address: ukhas+subscribe@googlegroups.com

Pocket Spacecraft

Pocket Spacecraft

Radio amateur Michael Johnson M0MJJ appears in the same edition of Click. He is interviewed about his 435 MHz Pocket Spacecraft known as ‘Scouts’. A ‘Scout’ is a wafer thin disk with flexible electronics, smaller than a CD, containing a transceiver, antenna and solar cells. It is hoped to carry them in a CubeSat which would deploy them in Lunar orbit. The segment starts at about 9:00 into the show http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b044trs9/click-17052014

Permanent link to video clip which should be viewable overseas http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-27444158

Michael Johnson M0MJJ’s Pocket Spacecraft were also mentioned in the BBC Radio 4 Today show, see https://amsat-uk.org/2014/05/15/bbc-pocket-spacecrafts-to-become-a-reality/

UK radio amateur plans Lunar Pocket Spacecraft https://amsat-uk.org/2013/08/26/uk-radio-hams-lunar-cubesat-to-go-ahead/

Pocket Spacecraft http://pocketspacecraft.com/

May 18 2014

Error Correcting Code talk by leading STEM proponent

Professor Chris Budd G4NBG / G8OPB

Professor Chris Budd G4NBG / G8OPB

Professor Chris Budd G4NBG (formerly G8OPB), a leading proponent of getting young people into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), will give a presentation to the City of Bristol RSGB Group.

On Monday, May 26 at 7:30pm he will talk about the history and modern practice of both code breaking and error correcting codes.

The talk will be given at the City of Bristol RSGB Group in the Bristol Lawn Tennis & Squash Club, Redland Green, Redland, Bristol BS6 7HF

Chris is Professor of Mathematics at the Royal Institution of Great Britain and Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Bath. He is a passionate populariser of maths, being involved in projects with schools on various maths related topics. He is also Vice-President for the Institute for Mathematics and its Application (IMA).

This is sure to be a fascinating talk!

City of Bristol RSGB Group G6YB http://www.g6yb.org/

G4NBG – Getting young people into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics #yourlife
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2013/getting_young_people_into_stem.htm

May 18 2014

LituanicaSAT-1 Telemetry Reports Requested

LituanicaSAT-1 Camera and FM Voice Transponder

LituanicaSAT-1 Camera and FM Voice Transponder

The LituanicaSAT-1 team ask for your support in tracking the satellite and reporting telemetry.

Dear radio amateurs,

For some unknown reason the satellite has rebooted several times during long term transponder test and due to that the transponder has been shut down automatically. Satellite is operating currently on high energy consumption mode as the attempt to reconfigure modes during the pass over our ground station today was unsuccessful. We therefore would like to ask for your support in tracking the satellite and reporting telemetry. If battery voltage drops below 7.2 V, the satellite will enter safe power mode and as a result you should only hear the CW FM beacon on 437.275 MHz and no packets.

Thank You in advance for your support.

73,
Laurynas LY1LM, LY5N

Please submit your reports to ly5n@qrz.lt

LituanicaSAT-1 FrequenciesFrequency are approximately 435.1755 MHz (+/- 10 kHz Doppler shift) for the downlink and 145.950 MHz for the uplink with 67 Hz CTCSS.

The tiny satellite is just 10x10x10 cm with a mass of 1.090 kg yet it has a VGA camera and a 145/435 MHz FM voice transponder, designed and built by Lithuanian radio amateurs.

The prototype of the FM repeater has been operating in the home of its designer Žilvinas Batisa LY3H in Elektrėnai, Lithuania. Further information at http://ly3h.epalete.com/?p=303

FM transponder operating techniques http://www.dk3wn.info/p/?p=44412

LituanicaSAT-1 CubeSat https://amsat-uk.org/2014/02/27/lituanicasat-1-cubesat/

May 17 2014

Chelmsford 434 MHz STEM Balloon Launch

Radio amateur Chris Stubbs M6EDF will be launching one of his 434.300 MHz USB trackers on a 100g Pawan – Cheapo 11 – for a school in Chelmsford at about 1:50pm on Tuesday, May 20. Depending on altitude it could have a radio range of 500 km and the flight path will be displayed in real-time on the web.

Chris Stubbs M6EDF with 434 MHz trackers

Chris Stubbs M6EDF with 434 MHz trackers

The launch is being run as a STEM (Science, Technology Engineering and Mathematics) event for the school. In addition to the main STEM objective the launch is also being used as a charity fundraiser. You can buy a £1 ticket to “Guess the location” of the burst with money raised going in aid of The Brathay Trust, Cancer Research and Havens Hospice.

Tracking of the 434.300 MHz signal would be greatly appreciated by both Chris and the students at the school.

Balloon flight details:
Callsign: CHEAPO-11
Frequency: 434.300 MHz USB
Mode: RTTY 7N2 50 baud 450 Hz shift
Location: Chelmsford, UK
Date: 20/05/2014
Time: 1:40PM

Chris took the amateur radio Foundation training course run by the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society (CARS) in January 2013. He is keen on both electronic construction and software development and combines the two interests in High Altitude Ballooning (HAB). Chris has built many tracker payloads for his balloon launches which usually take place from Danbury Common near Chelmsford.

M6EDF CHEAPO Micro TrackerDetails of his high-altitude ballooning hardware and experiments are online at http://chris-stubbs.co.uk/

See online real time tracks and frequencies of this and other 434 MHz balloons at
http://spacenear.us/tracker/

Beginners Guide to Tracking using dl-fldigi http://ukhas.org.uk/guides:tracking_guide

The role of these 434 MHz balloon launches in teaching maths and science was recently recognised by the Department for Education (DfE) see https://amsat-uk.org/2014/05/11/434-mhz-balloons-have-a-role-in-stem-education/

Listen to balloons online (when in range of south-east UK) from anywhere in the world with the SUWS 434 MHz WebSDR (select USB) https://amsat-uk.org/2013/12/28/websdr-for-434-and-1296-mhz/

Check the #highaltitude IRC channel for launch chat. A web client is available at http://webchat.freenode.net/?channels=highaltitude

To get up-to-date information on balloon flights subscribe to the UKHAS Mailing List by sending a blank email to this address: ukhas+subscribe@googlegroups.com

The Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society run training courses for those wishing to get their amateur licence. To find out more speak to Clive G1EUC on
Tel: 01245-224577
Mob: 07860-418835
Email: training2014 at g0mwt.org.uk
Web: http://www.g0mwt.org.uk/training/

What is Amateur Radio ? http://www.essexham.co.uk/what-is-amateur-radio

Post Launch Update:  The launch from The Sandon School was successful and reached an altitude of 27,000 metres before the balloon burst and the payload descended by parachute. The payload was recovered from a freshly ploughed field near Wisbech.

The signal from CHEAPO 11 could be received across much of British Isles and into Germany

The signal from CHEAPO 11 could be received across much of British Isles and into Germany