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Updates

26 Sep 2023

Reedited & posted three of my past published TCA articles: "Telemetry-over-WSPR: Part 1 & Part 2" (RM056 & RM057) and "Shortwave Radiograin" (RM058).

Added support material for my next TCA (Nov-Dec 2023) column "Snap Circuits Part 4: The Snapino" (RM062).

See Radio Magic.

26 Aug 2023

Added support material for my next TCA (Sep-Oct 2023) column "Snap Circuits Part 3: Optical Communications" (RM061) plus supplement. See Radio Magic.

26 June 2023

Added support material for my next TCA (Jul-Aug 2023) column "Snap Circuits Part 2: Mr. Morse Gadget" (RM060) plus supplement. See Radio Magic.

17 May 2023

Added support material for my next TCA (May-Jun 2023) column "Snap Circuits Part 1: Unleash Your Creativity!" (RM059) plus supplement. See Radio Magic.

24 December 2022

Added support material for my next TCA (Jan-Feb 2023) column "Shortwave Radiogram" (RM058) plus supplement. See Radio Magic.

24 November 2022

Finally got around to reediting, updating & posting five of my past published TCA articles: "Antenna Tales" (RM051), "FM Voice & Data & the ISS" parts 1 & 2 (RM052 & RM053) & "Radio Science: VLF" parts 1 & 2 (RM054 &RM055). See Radio Magic.

20 November 2022

The amazing NOAA satellite flight engineers have done it again! They have remotely fixed whatever was ailing the aging NOAA-15 back in October & it's once again transmitting APT satellite weather images.

31 October 2022

Added support material for my next TCA column "Telemetry-over-WSPR: Part

2 (RM057) + Supplement (see Radio Magic).

NOAA Official Notice: "The NOAA-15 AVHRR scan motor current began showing signs of instability on Oct 18 at approximately 1800Z when the current began to gradually rise from about 205 mA to about 250 mA where it remained until Oct 24. At about 0000Z on Oct 24, the current began rising again throughout the day peaking at about 302mA on Oct 25. Scan motor temperature began rising about the same time & is currently steady at about 29 degress Celsius. The instrument is still producing data but it is highly degraded. This behavior may be a sign of an impending scan motor stall but requires further investigation. Options for recovery are limited."

25 August 2022

Added support material for my next TCA column "Telemetry-over-WSPR: Part 1 (RM056) & supplemental articles (see Radio Magic).

21 August 2022

Really exciting news because the ISS finally has separate FM voice VHF/UHF & VHF data/APRS transceivers. Special event SSTV VHF FM transmissions will still use 145.800 MHz (mode PD180).

From ARISS.org: August 12, 2022—"ARISS is pleased to announce that starting yesterday, August 11, simultaneous operations of the ARISS Voice Repeater & digital APRS communications on the International Space Station (ISS) is now a reality. Current ARISS operations include voice repeater transmissions with the JVC Kenwood D710GA in the Columbus module & APRS packet operation from an identical radio in the Service Module (Zvezda). Packet operations are on 145.825 MHz.

ARISS-International Chair Frank Bauer, KA3HDO states, “Simultaneous operation of APRS & the voice repeater on ISS is transformative for ARISS and represents a key element of our ARISS 2.0 initiative, providing interactive capabilities 24/7 that inspire, engage and educate youth & lifelong learners—especially life-long learning in ham radio operations.” Bauer continues, “Our heartfelt thanks to Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, for making this crucial ARISS 2.0 initiative become a reality.”

The Columbus Module radio uses the callsign NA1SS & the new Service Module radio uses RS0ISS. Aside from the callsigns, the radios are identical & packet operations are the same as before. You can use RS0ISS, ARISS or APRSAT as the packet path. Also, both radios are expected to be on full time, except during educational contacts, EVAs, & dockings or undockings."

Operational ISS status: Current Status of ISS Stations - ARISS

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