Category: Ham Satellite news

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

For the @1C_SO50 22nd anniversary of the launch of the Saudi Sat SO50 the satellite UMKA-1 RS-40S is sending SSTV on 437.650 MHz FM.

The SSTV format is Robot 36. I have used the following to receive:

• Airspy Mini
• SDR-Console V3
• RX-SSTV by ON6MU

Updated 2024-12-18: Unfortunately, the launch carrying PARUS-T1A failed.

Info from SatNOGS Forum:

Hi there; this is from Develop Team of PARUS-T1A
We are writing to request your support for the upcoming launch of the PARUS-T1A 3U CubeSat. This CubeSat is scheduled to be launched from Japan on a SpaceOne rocket in the next few days.

Satellite Details:
Call Sign:BN0TIT-11
TLE:
PARUS-T1A
1 99999U 24349.12075232 .00000000 00000-0 00000-0 0 00002
2 99999 097.3302 066.1302 0009155 254.6453 086.7753 15.22849958000018

Frequency List:
* Telemetry: 437.850 MHz AFSK 1200bps, AX.25
* APRS Digipeater: 145.825 MHz
* Voice Repeater:
* Uplink: 145.980 MHz (Tone 67Hz)
* Downlink: 435.250 MHz

Data Packet Frame Format:
T1A_housekeeping.pdf (139.9 KB)

T1A_tlm.zip (12.2 KB)

We kindly request your assistance in developing a dashboard to visualize the raw data received from the PARUS-T1A CubeSat. This dashboard should be able to interpret the data packet frame format and display the information in a clear and concise manner.

Additionally, we would appreciate it if you could setup it for observation system. We have attached the IARU frequency coordination document for the amateur radio payload, which can be used as a reference.

We believe that your expertise and resources can significantly contribute to the success of this mission.

Again; we appreciate for your help and contribution

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
The Team of PARUS-T1A

Vy 73!
Randson Huang
BV2DQ /WJ2I