Tag Archives: Amateur Radio

Feb 13 2013

TURKSAT-3USAT to launch with V/U Linear Transponder

Preparing for TAMSAT linear transponder tests

Preparing for TAMSAT linear transponder tests

TURKSAT-3USAT is a three unit CubeSat built jointly by TURKSAT and the Istanbul Technical University (ITU).

Members of AMSAT-TR (TAMSAT), the Turkish Amateur Satellite Technologies Organisation, have designed and implemented a V/U linear transponder for the satellite to provide amateur radio SSB/CW communications. The transponder input is 145.940-145.990 MHz and the output is 435.200-435.250 MHz, there will be a CW beacon on 437.225 MHz.

TAMSAT V/U Linear Transponder Test

TAMSAT V/U Linear Transponder Test

The VHF/UHF transponder and all other subsystems, except the stabilization, are doubled for redundancy. Where possible, both COTS systems and in-house development are employed.

The power is provided using solar panels and lithium polymer batteries together with super capacitors. Satellite stabilization is accomplished using passive magnetic attitude control system with hysteresis rods. There is a camera payload to take images of the Earth.

TURKSAT-3USAT is expected to launch on April 26 at 0413 UT on a CZ-2D rocket from the Jiuquan Space Center into a 680 km Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The satellite has a de-orbiting system which will make it re-enter the atmosphere at the end of its operational life.

On February 9, 2013 TAMSAT President A. Tahir Dengiz, TA2T, and Vice-President Barış Dinc, TA7W, were at the laboratory in the Istanbul Technical University (ITU) where tests were carried out on the transponder.

TAMSAT team celebrating a successful test

TAMSAT team celebrating a successful test

Further information and pictures of the preliminary testing of the V/U transponder are at
http://www.tamsat.org.tr/tr/turksat-3usat-is-almost-ready/

Read the paper TURKSAT-3USAT: A 3U Communication CubeSat
http://www.nanosat.jp/images/3rd/pdf/%5BNSS-03-0409%5D_TURKSAT-3USAT_A_3U_COMMUNICATION.pdf

Read more on the TAMSAT website which can be seen in Google English at http://tinyurl.com/TurkeyTAMSAT

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/tamsat.amsattr

Twitter https://twitter.com/tamsat_tr

YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/tamsatvideo

Feb 12 2013

More Cubans Active on Ham Radio Satellites

Raydel Espinet CM2ESP - 640

Raydel Espinet CM2ESP

On the AMSAT bulletin board Raydel Espinet CM2ESP reports that more Cuban radio amateurs have become active on the satellites. He writes:

As many of you should already know, now we have two new Cuban Amateur Operators on FM Satellites. Recently CO7WT and CM2XN have finally achieve their first QSO on SO-50 Satellite. This may look simple, but for a Cuban Ham this is a great success, after many weeks of antenna building, equipment adjustments and learning, this two fellow hams enjoy of the amazing opportunity of make a QSO on a FM Transponder Satellite. They know there is a lot more of operating skills to learn and they are very happy to do so.

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Feb 10 2013

Amateur Radio on ISS switches to Ericsson after Kenwood problems

ARISS Amateur Radio on the International Space StationAfter experiencing issues with the Kenwood D700 on two consecutive school contacts, ARISS will use the Ericsson radio on the Columbus module for ARISS contacts until problems with D700 are resolved.

According to Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, AMSAT’s Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs, “…for some reason, our signals from the Service Module Kenwood D700 radio are much diminished.  Our contact with Israel last Sunday [February 3]  had low audio levels, with good signals only near TCA.  Our contact [February 8] with the Hospital for Sick Children was even worse.  Only one student was able to talk to Chris Hadfield [VA3OOG] before we lost the signal.”

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Feb 9 2013

Amateur Satellite Allocations on the Agenda at Vienna

IARU_LogoIn the coming months meetings will take place in both IARU Region 1 and Region 2 to discuss HF and VHF bandplans.

The IARU Region 1 2013 Interim Meeting in Vienna April 19-21 will be discussing two proposals relating to the Amateur-Satellite Service:

VIE13_C4_02 – Amendment to the 28 MHz Bandplan in relation to the Amateur Satellite Service. This proposes the removal of the downlink only restriction on the 29.300-29.510 MHz satellite segment.
http://uska.ch/fileadmin/download/iaru/interim_meetings/vienna2013/VIE13-C4-02_RSGB.pdf

VIE13_C5_03 – Increased Amateur-Satellite Service 144 MHz Usage. This proposes the introduction of a new satellite downlink band for CW/SSB transponders at 144.000-144.035 MHz.
http://uska.ch/fileadmin/download/iaru/interim_meetings/vienna2013/2013_Vienna_Documents.pdf

A report on the ARRL website has requested input for the IARU Region 2 meeting. At this time it is not known if satellite allocations will be raised at the meeting in Region 2.

UK Yahoo Reflector for discussion of C4 (HF) papers
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukc4discussion/

UK Yahoo Reflector for discussion of C5 (VHF/UHF/Microwave) papers
http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/ukc5discussion/

Feb 8 2013

The World’s First Smartphone In Space

STRaND-1 flight ready February 2013 with Shaun Kenyon, Dr Peter Shaw, Dr Chris Bridges

STRaND-1 flight ready February 2013 with Shaun Kenyon, Dr Peter Shaw, Dr Chris Bridges

In this video Professor Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO talks about STRaND-1 which aims to be the world’s first smartphone satellite in space.

STRaND-1 a UK mission, jointly developed by the University of Surrey’s Surrey Space Centre (SSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), to send the world’s first smartphone satellite into orbit is due to launch on February 25.

Also appearing in the video are Shaun Kenyon and Dr. Chris Bridges both of whom have given presentations on the STRaND project to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium held each year in Guildford.

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Feb 8 2013

The World's First Smartphone In Space

STRaND-1 flight ready February 2013 with Shaun Kenyon, Dr Peter Shaw, Dr Chris Bridges

STRaND-1 flight ready February 2013 with Shaun Kenyon, Dr Peter Shaw, Dr Chris Bridges

In this video Professor Sir Martin Sweeting G3YJO talks about STRaND-1 which aims to be the world’s first smartphone satellite in space.

STRaND-1 a UK mission, jointly developed by the University of Surrey’s Surrey Space Centre (SSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology Limited (SSTL), to send the world’s first smartphone satellite into orbit is due to launch on February 25.

Also appearing in the video are Shaun Kenyon and Dr. Chris Bridges both of whom have given presentations on the STRaND project to the AMSAT-UK International Space Colloquium held each year in Guildford.

 

Continue reading →