10-19-95: Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment (SAREX) Bulletin SHUTTLE AMATEUR RADIO EXPERIMENT (SAREX) BULLETIN: FALL 1995 For More Information Contact: THE AMERICAN RADIO RELAY LEAGUE (ARRL) Educational Activities Department (EAD) 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone: (860) 594-0301 FAX: (860) 594-0259 Internet: sarex@arrl.org ARRL BBS: (860) 594-0306 CompuServe: 70007,3373 Prodigy: PTYS02A America Online: HQARRL1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SAREX- WHAT IS SAREX? With the help of Amateur Radio clubs and ham radio operators, space shuttle astronauts have been speaking over the ham airwaves while in orbit. They are talking directly with large groups of the general public, showing teachers, students, parents and communities how Amateur Radio energizes youngsters about science, technology, and learning. The program is called SAREX, the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment. NASA's intent in making astronauts available for SAREX operations is to involve the largest possible numbers of people, particularly youngsters, in technology and the US space program with the help of Amateur Radio. During a SAREX mission, the astronauts will typically make the following types of Amateur Radio contacts: Scheduled radio contacts with schools. Random contacts with the Amateur Radio community. Personal contacts with the astronauts' families. A handful of schools are selected from around the world to make contact with the shuttle during most SAREX missions. These contacts are prearranged, giving the schools a greater chance at making a successful contact. Two or more students at each of the selected schools ask questions of the astronauts during the contact. The nature of these contacts embodies the primary goal of SAREX--to excite students' interest in learning. WHO SPONSORS SAREX? The American Radio Relay League (ARRL), The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) and NASA sponsor these exciting experiments. AMSAT volunteers support all technical operations for SAREX, and mentor participating school groups. The ARRL provides the Amateur Radio community with SAREX information and educational support. The ARRL Educational Activities Department (EAD) and NASA Headquarters create and distribute SAREX lesson materials and resources for teachers. SAREX is supported by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Hundreds of Amateur Radio operators work behind the scenes, including those from NASA's Amateur Radio clubs at the Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, and Marshall Space Flight Center. ARRL created the SAREX Working Group to administer the program. The working group is comprised of Roy Neal, K6DUE -Chairman; Rosalie White, WA1STO - ARRL; Frank Bauer, KA3HDO -AMSAT; and Matthew G. Bordelon, KC5BTL -NASA Johnson Space Center. I AM A SCHOOL TEACHER-HOW CAN I GET STARTED? Schools wanting to make a scheduled SAREX contact with the astronauts are required to submit proposals and a SAREX school application to ARRL. While only a handful of schools get chosen for scheduled contacts, all schools can participate by eavesdropping, or by trying to make a random contact with the shuttle astronauts. SAREX lesson materials are available from ARRL for all schools who participate. Imagine listening in on the astronauts from your classroom! If you are a school teacher, but you are unfamiliar with ham radio, you can still become a part of SAREX in your school. Contact the ARRL EAD to get a list of your local Amateur Radio clubs to assist you. If you are a parent, grandparent and/or a ham radio operator, contact ARRL EAD and a local school. EAD will send you materials, including ways to convince teachers and school administrators that Amateur Radio is an important discipline the school should take advantage of on a full-time basis. This is a tremendous opportunity for you to showcase SAREX and Amateur Radio to kids of all ages in a big way. HOW DO I SUBMIT A SAREX SCHOOL APPLICATION FOR A SCHEDULED CONTACT? If your school is interested in a radio contact for a future SAREX mission, you must complete a SAREX school application and write an educational proposal. ARRL collects applications and proposals, and then forward them to the SAREX Working Group who makes the final selection in collaboration with the astronauts. All grade levels and type of schools (rural, suburban and particularly urban) are encouraged to apply. SAREX school applications are available by sending a business-sized self- addressed stamped envelope to ARRL, or email your request for an electronic version of the application to sarex@arrl.org. Applications may be returned to ARRL by mail or email. A proposal must accompany all completed applications. The SAREX Working Group and NASA want to know- 1) How will you: a) integrate this activity into the school curriculum and b) involve as many students as you can, participating through essay contests, poster drawing, letter writing, etc.? 2) What are your capabilities for setting up all necessary Amateur Radio equipment and antennas? Do you have the resources of an experienced group of hams to assist you? 3) How will you get as much media coverage as possible? HOW WILL I KNOW IF MY SCHOOL HAS BEEN SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE? Schools that have been selected for scheduled SAREX contacts are contacted by a SAREX coordinator. NASA requires school selections to be made approximately seven months prior to launch. If a school is not chosen for the next SAREX mission, its application is recycled for future opportunities. Schools typically wait one year or longer to be selected. I AM A HAM. HOW CAN I INTRODUCE SAREX TO MY SON OR DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL? Bring in a shortwave receiver and let students eavesdrop on amateur retransmissions of the NASA shuttle-to-mission control audio--from launch to landing. Then, establish a SAREX station at the school. Set up a 2-meter satellite ground station and attempt a random SAREX contact from the classroom. The teacher may even apply for a school contact, almost guaranteeing that the students will have an opportunity to communicate with the shuttle crew during a future SAREX mission. ARE THERE VIDEOS AVAILABLE ON SAREX? HAM RADIO IN SPACE is a 30-minute video chronicling the participation of schools and hams in SAREX. You and your class will enjoy watching students talk to the astronauts via ham radio as they participate in this unique educational program. Contact the ARRL Educational Activities Department for details on obtaining a copy of this video. CAN A HAM MAKE AN UNSCHEDULED SAREX CONTACT? Yes. The astronauts have not lost sight of why SAREX has been so successful. It is the Amateur Radio community that has brought the astronaut's voices into classrooms all around the world. During most SAREX missions, many of the crew members make random contacts with earth-bound hams. They make these contacts during their breaks, before and after meal time, and during their pre-sleep time. In fact, over the past years the astronauts have contacted thousands of amateurs around the world. On many missions, they have even carried a 2-meter packet radio station. Innovative computer software allows the crew to operate the packet gear in an "unattended" mode, allowing amateurs to make contacts with the ROBOT station when the astronauts are working or sleeping. WHAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT DO I NEED? A typical SAREX ground station includes a 2-meter FM transceiver and 25-100 watts of output power. A circularly polarized crossed-Yagi antenna capable of being pointed in both azimuth (N-S-E-W) and elevation (degrees above the horizon) is desirable, but successful contacts have even been made with verticals and groundplane antennas. Commercial and public domain computer tracking software is available to assist you in determining when the shuttle will be within range of your station and where to point your antenna. For more information on assembling your own satellite/SAREX station, obtain a copy of the SATELLITE EXPERIMENTER'S HANDBOOK from ARRL. HOW DO I "TALK" TO THE ASTRONAUTS? You may communicate with the shuttle astronauts using a variety of modes: voice, packet (computer) radio or television. It all depends on which equipment configuration the astronauts take into space. For example, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in March 1995 made hundreds of random voice contacts with Amateur Radio operators during their flight. When the astronauts were sleeping or busy with other activities, a robot computer ham station aboard the orbiting shuttle automatically made contact with thousands more amateurs around the world. The robot computer transmitted an acknowledgment to each ham whose computer successfully made contact with it. On other missions, the SAREX configuration has even included Amateur Radio Slow Scan Television (SSTV) and Fast Scan Television (FSTV) allowing amateurs a firsthand glimpse at life in space. WHAT ARE THE SAREX RADIO FREQUENCIES? The following VHF frequencies are used for most SAREX missions. These frequencies were chosen after much deliberation to minimize contention between SAREX operations and other 2-meter users. If you have any comments, please direct them to AMSAT via Frank Bauer, KA3HDO (at his address in the Radio Amateur Callbook or email ka3hdo@amsat.org) or the ARRL EAD. We appreciate the cooperation of all amateurs in making the SAREX operations successful. Frequencies used for SAREX- FM Voice Downlink: (Worldwide) 145.55 MHz FM Voice Uplink: 144.91, 144.93, 144.95, 144.97, and 144.99 MHz FM Voice Uplink: (Europe only) 144.70, 144.75, and 144.80 MHz FM Packet Downlink: 145.55 MHz FM Packet Uplink: 144.49 MHz IMPORTANT: During shuttle missions to the Russian Mir Space Station, a different set of frequencies are used for SAREX. This is done so that SAREX will not interfere with the Amateur Radio station aboard Mir, which uses 145.55 MHz for most of its activities. The SAREX Working Group has decided to use the following frequencies during shuttle/Mir docking missions: Frequencies use for SAREX during Shuttle/Mir Docking Missions- FM Voice Downlink: 145.84 MHz FM Voice Uplink: 144.45, 144.47 MHz Most SAREX operations are split-frequency (the crew uses separate receive and transmit frequencies). PLEASE do not transmit on the shuttle's DOWNLINK frequency. The DOWNLINK is your receiving frequency. The UPLINK is your transmitting frequency. For all operations, Earth stations should listen to the downlink frequency and transmit on the uplink frequency only when the shuttle is in range and the astronauts are on the air. ARE ALL OF THE CONTACTS MADE BY THE ASTRONAUTS RANDOM? During each SAREX mission, the astronauts' primary work schedules dictate when they can and cannot operate the radio equipment. As a result, most of the general contacts they make are random. If the astronauts are operating their radio, however, you can be certain that many hams will be attempting to contact them. WHAT ARE MY CHANCES OF MAKING A RANDOM SAREX CONTACT WITH THE CREW? The extremely busy work schedules of the astronauts may sometimes reduce your chance for an unscheduled, random contact with the shuttle. The SAREX Working Group recognizes the long-standing commitment of the Amateur Radio community in supporting SAREX activities and attempts to schedule as many opportunities as possible for general ham contacts during flights. Keep posted to Amateur Radio news sources during a SAREX mission for possible announcements of scheduled contact times. WHEN ARE THE NEXT SAREX SHUTTLE MISSIONS? The next flights for SAREX are listed below. School applications are no longer being accepted for these missions. Schools who have been selected will be contacted by a SAREX mentor (usually an experienced AMSAT volunteer). If your school was not chosen this time, applications are recycled and your group may be chosen for a future flight. Contact ARRL EAD if your application information should change. UPCOMING SAREX MISSIONS (updated 10/18/95): The following dates are tentative. Please understand that delays in spacecraft launches are somewhat common particularly because there are people on-board! Mission Date Inclination Crew/Title/Amateur Call Sign Vehicle Payload Altitude *Notes Mission length Configuration ------- -------------- ------------- ---------------------------- STS-74 November 2, 1995 51.6 degrees Kenneth D. Cameron, CDR, KB5AWP Atlantis Mir Docking-2 196-245 miles James Donald Halsell, Jr., PLT 7 days, 21 hours Config. M Jerry L. Ross, MS 1, N5SCW William S. McArthur, Jr., MS 2, KC5ACR Chris A. Hadfield, MS 3, TBD STS-76 March 21, 1996 51.6 degrees Kevin P. Chilton, CDR Atlantis Mir Docking-3 195 miles Richard A. Searfoss, PLT, 9 days Config. M KC5CKM Shannon W. Lucid, MS Linda M. Godwin, MS, N5RAX Ronald M. Sega, MS, KC5ETH Michael R. "Rich" Clifford, MS STS-78 June 27, 1996 39 degrees Terence T. Henricks, CDR Columbia SPACELAB-LMS 172 miles Kevin R. Kregel, PLT 14 days Config. ? Susan J. Helms, MS, KC7NHZ Richard M. Linnehan, MS Charles E. Brady, Jr., MS, N4BQW Jean-Jacques Favier, PS Robert Brent Thirsk, PS, VA3CSA Configuration A: FM Voice (attended) Packet (attended/unattended) SSTV (attended/unattended) Configuration B: FM Voice Configuration C: FM Voice, Packet Configuration D: FM Voice, Packet, SSTV, FSTV Configuration E: FM Voice, Packet, SSTV, FSTV (different hardware) Configuration M: FM Voice, using shuttle/MIR radio Abbreviations: Commander=CDR Pilot=PLT Payload Commander=PL-CDR Mission Specialist=MS Payload Specialist=PS To Be Determined=TBD HOW CAN I USE MY SHORTWAVE RADIO TO EAVESDROP ON THE ASTRONAUTS? When a shuttle mission carries the SAREX payload, members of the Goddard Amateur Radio Club (Greenbelt, MD) re-transmit live, shuttle air-to-ground audio over the amateur frequencies from their club station, WA3NAN. This station, and several VHF and UHF repeater groups, provide this service so that amateurs and students can hear these educational communications. You will hear NASA mission commentary, communication between the shuttle astronauts and Mission Control, and frequent bulletins to advise listeners of astronaut-planned SAREX activities. WA3NAN operates on the high frequency (HF) bands at 3.86, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and 28.65 MHz and in the Greenbelt, MD area on a very high frequency (VHF) band at 147.45 MHz (FM). CAN I RETRANSMIT COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN THE SPACE SHUTTLE AND MISSION CONTROL ON AMATEUR FREQUENCIES? The FCC rules indicate that amateur stations are permitted to retransmit space shuttle air-to-ground communications, provided that approval has been obtained from NASA (FCC Rules, Part 97.113 (e)). In 1990, ARRL sought permission from NASA, on behalf of radio amateurs, to retransmit shuttle communications. The response from NASA's Office of Public Affairs encouraged such retransmissions, and indicated that the audio is public domain. If you plan to rebroadcast NASA shuttle audio, please follow these guidelines: 1) In keeping with good amateur practice and the FCC rules, shuttle audio retransmissions should be limited to missions of a specific educational purpose (non-commercial), such as those carrying the SAREX payload. 2) Retransmissions should be done manually (with a control operator present). 3) Occasionally, NASA audio may contain music. Amateurs should avoid, if at all possible, retransmitting music or any other prohibited transmissions not permitted by the FCC rules (FCC Rules, Part 97.113). HOW MAY I TRACK THE SHUTTLE WITH A COMPUTER? A number of software packages are available for tracking the shuttle on a personal computer. Here are just a few options (ARRL in no way warrants these products or services): AMSAT Tracking Programs. The North American branch of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT-NA) makes available a variety of computer programs of interest to the amateur satellite user. These easy to use programs are perfect for the serious Amateur Radio space enthusiast or beginner. Programs are available for IBM, Macintosh, Apple, Commodore, and other computers. Contact AMSAT for current prices and details: AMSAT-NA 850 Sligo Avenue, Suite 600 Silver Spring, MD 20910-4703 Phone (301) 589-6062 FAX (301) 608-3410 email martha@amsat.org AMSAT also has a collection of free software for download: World Wide Web http://www.amsat.org Anonymous FTP ftp.amsat.org STSPLUS (Shareware for IBM). This software was designed by David Ransom Jr. The program allows the user to track an orbiting space shuttle or satellite. Excellent graphics and maps help to create a mock Mission Control Center. Look for STSPLUS and other tracking software posted on Spacelink, NASA's electronic information system: Spacelink Modem line (205) 895-0028 Terminal emulation VT-100 Data format 8-N-1 World Wide Web http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov Gopher, Anonymous FTP, and Telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov TCP/IP address 192.149.89.61 Satellite tracking software may be found in the following Spacelink directory: Instructional.Materials/Software OrbiTrack (MacIntosh). BEK Developers PO Box 47114 St. Petersburg, FL 33743-7114 email (Bill Bard) 75366.2557@compuserve.com SatTrack (MacIntosh). Mike Pflueger, WD8KPZ 6207 W. Beverly Lane Glendale, AZ 85306 FTP sumex.stanford.edu SatTrack can be found in the following directory: /info-mac/application Tracking Via the World Wide Web. A World Wide Web site maintained by Lou Williams, KE4ARM, offers a unique way to predict shuttle and satellite passes via the Internet. The WWW site address is: http://www.acs.ncsu.edu/HamRadio/ WHAT ARE KEPLERIAN ELEMENTS? Satellite-tracking computer software use Keplerian elements (also known as "orbital" or "tracking" elements or "Keps") to pinpoint the location of a satellite (or shuttle) at any given time. The Keplerian elements provide the software with a snapshot of a satellite's orbital track, which the computer uses to calculate the future whereabouts of the satellite. Using such a computer tracking program allows an observer to determine when a satellite is to appear above his or her horizon. WHERE CAN I FIND KEPLERIAN ELEMENTS FOR TRACKING THE SPACE SHUTTLE? During shuttle missions carrying SAREX, Keplerian elements for tracking the shuttles are available from numerous sources: AMSAT. The AMSAT News Service publishes weekly bulletins containing information of interest to amateur satellite operators, including Keplerian element postings for the shuttle and popular amateur satellites. These bulletins are distributed electronically through amateur satellites, the terrestrial amateur packet radio network, and through various landline networks: World Wide Web http://www.amsat.org AMSAT also maintains numerous public mailing lists (email) to deliver Keplerian elements and other information. To subscribe to one or more mailing lists from AMSAT, send a message with your request to listserv@amsat.org. Be sure to include your call sign (if any), your correct email address, and the proper names (shown below) of the mailing lists you wish to receive: ANS - AMSAT News Service AMSAT-BB - AMSAT Bulletin Board KEPS - Keplerian Elements mailing list NASAINFO - NASA related information mailing list SAREX - Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment mailing list Goddard ARC. The Goddard Amateur Radio Club, WA3NAN, maintains a BBS which carries Keplerian orbital elements updated daily, and daily SAREX bulletins and space shuttle mission information. Modem line (301) 286-4137 Internet wa3nan.gsfc.nasa.gov TCP/IP address 128.183.105.17 Packet radio WA3NAN on 145.090 MHz in the Maryland/DC area. NASA Spacelink. NASA's electronic information system, Spacelink, carries current shuttle mission status reports and Keplerian elements. Modem line (205) 895-0028 Terminal emulation VT-100 Data format 8-N-1 World Wide Web http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov Gopher, Anonymous FTP, and Telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov TCP/IP address 192.149.89.61 Keplerian elements may be found in the following Spacelink directory: Spacelink.Hot.Topics/Current.Shuttle.Mission/Keplerian.Elements Johnson Space Center ARC. The Johnson Space Center Amateur Radio Club maintains a BBS with the latest element sets available during a shuttle flight. Modem line (713) 244-5625 Celestial BBS. Current orbital elements for SAREX and other Amateur Radio satellites are carried on the Celestial BBS. Keplerian elements are updated daily, when possible. Documentation and tracking software are also available on this system. Modem line (205) 409-9280 NASA EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES How do you find information on shuttle schedules, payloads, space science and mission lesson plans? To make the most of your SAREX experience, NASA has a number of materials and resources available to educators: Shuttle Mission Information. Specific mission and payload information can be obtained directly from NASA, via the shuttle mission Home Page: World Wide Web http://shuttle.nasa.gov Teacher Resource Center Network. Teacher Resource Centers (TRC) contain a wealth of information for educators: publications, reference books, slides, audio cassettes, videocassettes, telelecture programs, computer programs, lesson plans and activities. For more information, contact the TRC nearest you. NASA Teacher Resource Centers: NASA Ames Research Center Moffett Field CA Phone (415) 604-3574 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt MD Phone (301) 286-8570 NASA Johnson Space Center Houston TX Phone (713) 483-8696 NASA Kennedy Space Center Kennedy Space Center FL Phone (407) 867-4090 NASA Langley Research Center Hampton VA Phone (804) 727-0900 x757 NASA Lewis Research Center Cleveland OH Phone (216) 433-2017 Alabama Space and Rocket Center Huntsville AL Phone (205) 544-5812 NASA John C. Stennis Space Center Stennis Space Center MS Phone (601) 688-3338 Jet Propulsion Laboratory Pasadena CA Phone (818) 354-6916 NASA Dryden Flight Research Facility Edwards CA Phone (805) 258-3456 Wallops Flight Facility Wallops Island VA Phone (804) 824-2297/2298 NASA Spacelink. NASA Spacelink is a computer information service that allows individuals to receive news about current NASA programs, activities, and other space- related information, including historical and astronaut data, lesson plans, classroom activities, and even entire publications. Although primarily intended as a resource for teachers, anyone with a personal computer, a modem or Internet access can use the network. Spacelink's telephone modem line is (205) 895-0028. Users need a computer, modem, communications software, and a long-distance telephone line to access Spacelink (the data word format is 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit). Your software must emulate a VT-100 terminal. Spacelink fully supports the following Internet services: World Wide Web http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov Gopher, Anonymous FTP, and Telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov TCP/IP address 192.149.89.61 For more information, contact the Spacelink Administrator, Mail Code CL01, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812-0001. For help with technical problems call the Spacelink Hot Line (205) 961-1225. NASA Television. NASA Television offers the general public a front-row seat at mission launches and activities taking place in space during a mission, as well as informational and educational programming, historical documentaries, and updates on the latest developments in aeronautics and space science. NASA TV occasionally airs live coverage of SAREX activities. Programming is received by satellite dish or may be available through your local cable television network. Tuning-In NASA TV Satellite-Spacenet 2 Transponder-5 Channel-9 C Band 69 degrees west longitude Frequency 3880.0 MHz Horizontal polarization Audio on 6.8 MHz For more information, contact: Technology and Evaluation Branch Education Division, Code FET NASA Headquarters Washington D.C. 20546 Phone (202) 358-1540 HOW DO I OBTAIN A SAREX QSL CARD? QSL cards are similar to postcards. Hams exchange QSL cards to confirm their radio contacts with other stations. Participating in the Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment can be an exhilarating experience. But, as many hams know, waiting for that coveted QSL card requires a lot of patience. Designing a card for the ultimate DXpedition can be a lengthy process. Here's a behind-the-scenes glance at producing a SAREX QSL, and some tips to help you get your card. After a SAREX mission, ARRL and the SAREX Working Group work with the crew members to select photos from that mission, and design and layout the QSL card. This may take a few months because of the busy schedule of the astronauts, among other things. Once the card is designed and printed, ARRL forwards the QSL cards to whichever Amateur Radio club is involved with the awesome task of managing the cards. In the past, amateurs sent their contact and listener reports directly to the managing club. Now, all reports should be sent to ARRL. In order for the managing process to run smoothly, please include the following information in your QSL or report: shuttle flight number (STS- XX), date, time in UTC, frequency and mode (FM voice, packet, sstv or fstv). This documents the contact or listener report. In addition, you must also include a SASE using a large, business-sized envelope if you wish to receive a card. No cards are distributed without the proper postage affixed or sufficient IRCs included. The following clubs have graciously volunteered their service for handling QSL cards for the following missions: STS-74 Greater Norwalk Amateur Radio Club, Connecticut STS-71 Sacred Hearts Academy Radio Club, Hawaii STS-70 Sterling Park Amateur Radio Club, Virginia STS-67 Edison Radio Amateurs Association, Michigan SAREX RESOURCE LIST SAREX Educational Support and Information: American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Educational Activities Department (EAD) 225 Main Street Newington CT 06111-1494 USA Telephone (860) 594-0301 FAX (860) 594-0259 MCI Mail ID: 215-5052 CompuServe ID: 70007,3373 Prodigy: PTYS2A America Online: HQARRL1 Internet: sarex@arrl.org ARRL Information Server. ARRL maintains an information email server. To receive an index of files available from the server, send a message to info@arrl.org. Leave the subject line blank. On the first line of your message, type SEND INDEX. On the second line, type QUIT. An index of all files contained on the server will be emailed back to you. ARRL BBS. ARRL maintains a telephone bulletin board system. The modem line is (860) 594-0306. Users need a computer, modem, communications software, and a long-distance telephone line to access the BBS (the data word format is 8 bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit). The system supports many of the higher- speed modems. ARRL FTP. A collection of Amateur Radio software, distributed by ARRL, can be found at a FTP site maintained by the Boston Amateur Radio Club. The software repository is a public service of Oakland University's Office of Computer and Information Services. FTP oak.oakland.edu World Wide Web http://www.acs.oakland.edu/oak/ SAREX on the World Wide Web. ARRL Web site: http://www.arrl.org AMSAT Web site: http://www.amsat.org NASA's SAREX Web site: http://www.nasa.gov/sarex/sarex_mainpage.html (maintained by James Gass, N3CJN, james.gass@gsfc.nasa.gov) W1AW Bulletins. ARRL's (Newington, CT) Amateur Radio station (call sign W1AW) transmits news bulletins (9:45 PM, 12:45 AM EST) on HF bands at 3.99, 7.29, 14.29, 18.16, 21.39, 28.59 and, in the Hartford, CT area, on VHF at 147.555 MHz. W1AW bulletins are also forwarded on packet. AMSAT Net. The AMSAT International Satellite Net on Tuesdays, 3.840 MHz, 0130Z to 0300Z, and on Sundays, 14.282 MHz, 1800Z to 2100Z, +/- QRM. HOW CAN I BECOME AN AMATEUR RADIO OPERATOR? Amateur Radio operators, or "hams," are people from all walks of life--no matter what age, gender or physical ability. And, getting started in Amateur Radio has never been easier! Contact the ARRL, and request a free New Ham Package. The package includes the information booklet, You're Invited...Getting Started in Amateur Radio. Provided as a public service, this booklet includes information on your local Amateur Radio clubs, instructors, examination sites and popular study guides. Call ARRL's toll-free hotline for new hams: 1-800-32-NEW HAM (800- 326-3942) Why not get started, today! ARRL BOOKSHELF NOW YOU'RE TALKING! book (second edition) contains everything you need to know to pass your first Amateur Radio written exams. (ARRL order #4173) ARRL TECHNICIAN CLASS VIDEO COURSE. Learn the "ropes" with the "pros." You won't find a better course or a better deal anywhere. 5 hours of excitement. Phone 1-800-326-3942 for details. THE SATELLITE EXPERIMENTER'S HANDBOOK has the information you need to communicate through, or receive signals from, a growing "fleet" of orbiting satellites and spacecraft-including the shuttle! Whether your interest is in Amateur Radio, weather, TV-broadcast or other spacecraft, you'll find an immense store of valuable data-everything from settingup ground station equipment to antennas. (ARRL order #3185) YOUR PACKET COMPANION is perfect for the packet (computer) radio newcomer, covers everything-from assembling a station to sending mail, from packet satellites and spacecraft to the latest networking systems. Its straightforward writing style and clear drawings will get you on the cutting edge of digital ham radio in no time. (ARRL order #3959) BECOME AN ARRL MEMBER, and begin supporting SAREX today! To join ARRL by email be sure to include your credit card number, type, and expiration date; your name as it appears on the card; your shipping address; and a daytime telephone number. ARRL Membership is $31 per year. The American Radio Relay League Newington Conn. USA SAREXFAQ.TXT 10/95 eof