Category: Ham Satellite news

KrakenRF Inc has published a new update about the Discovery Dish, several links to community projects and an update about the rotator work.

https://www.crowdsupply.com/krakenrf/discovery-dish/updates/community-projects

Re-post from ANS-082

Astronaut and radio amateur, Rabea Rogge LB9NJ / KD3AID, will be transmitting amateur radio Slow Scan TV images from space during the SpaceX Fram2 mission, planned for launch on March 31.

The Fram2 mission is set to become the first human space flight in polar orbit – flying over the North and South poles. Named after the famous polar exploration ship Fram, which completed voyages to both the Arctic and Antarctica. The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch four astronauts from Europe and Australia into orbit for 3-5 days.

During the Fram2 mission Rabea Rogge, LB9NJ (Norway) and KD3AID (USA), will be operating the onboard amateur (ham) radio system sending SSTV images as part of a high school and university student competition. These SSTV images will also be available to be received by the general public during the mission.

The International Space Station simulated the Fram2 SSTV mode PD-120 transmissions from February 13-17 on 437.550 MHz FM to enable people to gain proficiency in receiving the signals before the mission.

Fram2Ham is an experimental radio competition open to high school and university ages. Rogge will send pictures of three geographical locations via an onboard ham radio, but here’s the twist: they’ll be cut into pieces and mixed up! Participants will receive only fragments of the locations and need to guess where on Earth they are and what their role in polar history was. While anyone can receive the pictures, forming an international team may help you solve the puzzle!

There are several challenges like low transmit power, variations of antenna orientation, and a short, 3-day mission duration, with only a limited time assigned for the SSTV operation. These challenges require operating proficiency and the use of the best attainable radio station and this simulation shall give the possibility to exercise this.

For more information on the Fram2 mission and for youth organizations interested in participating in the Fram2Ham SSTV competition, see https://fram2ham.com/

First human Spaceflight to Earth’s polar regions https://f2.com/

Fram2Ham on Discord https://discord.com/invite/GYQzmSh5sp

Competition details https://fram2ham.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/amapay_user_manual-ver-2-7-2025.pdf

[ANS thanks AMSAT-UK and FRAM2 Ham for the above information]

From ANS-054:

AMSAT-EA has confirmed that the FM repeater aboard the HADES-R satellite has been successfully activated and is now available for amateur radio operators worldwide. The activation took place on February 19th, 2025, following a series of telemetry and command tests to ensure the satellite’s stability and performance. Early reports indicate that the repeater is functioning as expected, providing strong two-way FM voice communications. AMSAT-EA expressed its gratitude to the amateur radio community for submitting telemetry reports, which contributed to the successful commissioning of the satellite.

HADES-R was launched aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on January 14th, 2025, as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-12 mission. Developed by AMSAT-EA, the satellite carries an FM and digital repeater payload designed to provide communication services to amateur radio enthusiasts worldwide. It was deployed from the D-Orbit ION-SCV-016 orbital transfer vehicle on January 22nd and has since been transmitting telemetry data while undergoing operational testing. With the repeater now active, operators can use the uplink frequency of 145.925 MHz and the downlink frequency of 436.885 MHz for communication, with additional support for digital modes such as APRS and FSK telemetry at various data rates.

At the request of AMSAT-EA, AMSAT has officially designated HADES-R as Spain-OSCAR 124 (SO-124) in recognition of its contributions to amateur satellite communications. This designation underscores the satellite’s role in expanding access to space-based communications for the amateur radio community. AMSAT congratulates AMSAT-EA on this achievement and looks forward to the continued success of this and future projects. Meanwhile, amateur radio operators eagerly anticipate the upcoming launch of HADES-ICM on the Transporter-13 mission in March 2025, which will further enhance satellite-based communication capabilities.

[ANS thanks AMSAT-EA and Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA, AMSAT VP Operations / OSCAR Number Administrator for the above information]

Info from ANS-019 and AMSAT-EA

“HADES-R, currently orbiting inside D-Orbit OTV ION-SCV-016, is expected to be deployed from it this Wednesday 22th. Transmissions should begin a pair of minutes after deploy. Please share with us any telemetry you receive! Repeater will not be active yet. Thanks a lot. 73.”

HADES-R has a downlink frequency, coordinated by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) of 436.888 MHz. While FM voice is the primary mission, the downlink may sometimes include FSK data up to 1200 bps, APRS up to 1200 bps, FSK telemetry and experimental data up to 1600 bps or CW. The uplink will be 145.925 MHz, Modes: FM voice (without subtone) and FSK 200 bps, AFSK, AX.25, APRS 1200 / 2400 bps.

Info from AMSAT-HB:

Dear AMSAT Family,

We are excited to announce that starting this year, AMSAT-HB will award the “HB9RG Memorial Trophy” in honor of Dr. Hans Rudolf Lauber, who held the callsign HB9RG. Dr. Lauber was a true pioneer in VHF/UHF/SHF technology, and we are proud that AMSAT-HB can continue to carry forward his legacy by using his callsign.

The HB9RG Memorial Trophy will serve as a reminder of Dr. Lauber’s positive contributions to the amateur radio community, and it will be awarded across various disciplines. The first discipline in this competition will coincide with a significant anniversary.

On March 10, 1965, HB9RG and DL6EZA successfully completed the first amateur radio QSO via satellite (OSCAR-III). To celebrate the 60th anniversary of this remarkable achievement, AMSAT-HB is hosting a two-week-long competition.

You can find the details and regulations for the competition on our website: https://www.amsat-hb.org/hb9rg_trophy/hb9rg_trophy_2025_-_distance

This event will particularly appeal to those radio amateurs who are passionate about roving and DX. Additionally, on March 10, we will be active on various bands and operating modes under the callsign HB9RG.

We look forward to your participation and hope you will join us in honoring the legacy of HB9RG.

Best regards,

On behalf of AMSAT-HB
Michael Lipp, HB9WDF
President AMSAT-HB