Progress-41P Carrying ARISSat-1 Radio Docks at the International Space Station

Gould Smith, AMSAT's ARISSat-1 project manager is pleased to report that the Progress cargo mission carrying ARISSat-1 has arrived and docked at the ISS. NASA confirmed capture and docking completed at 8:39 PM CST (UTC-6) on January 29.

Once ARISSat-1 is on board the ISS, crew members will re-attach the handles, install the battery, replace the dummy loads with the real antennas and perform a quick power-on test.

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TRRS #0028 - Amateur and Ham radio apps for your Android Phone

Russia launches another cargo ship to space station with Ham station

With Japan's cargo freighter safely arriving at the International Space Station early Thursday, Russia has launched its next resupply ship loaded with more provisions and even a tiny amateur radio satellite that spacewalkers will deploy from the orbiting outpost.

Full details at http://www.spaceflightnow.com/station/exp26/110127prog41p/

New antenna company launches

New company, Antenna Engineering has recently started trading through their online shop, which is an exciting undertaking for recent graduate Henry and his father, Chris (G4AMN), who has over 40 years experience in the industry and as a amateur radio enthusiast.
Sheffield Hallam Engineering Graduate (2009), Henry Wainwright, has started his own company manufacturing amateur radio equipment with the support of the University’s Graduate Entrepreneurship Scheme (GRADE).
The company, Antenna Engineering (based in Leicestershire & South Yorkshire), has a comprehensive range of amateur radio antenna equipment ranging from mono-band single element verticals to multi-element phased arrays.
Antenna Engineering produces a high performance range of vertical antennas for the serious DX enthusiast.
More information on all of Antenna Engineering’s products can be found at www.antennaengineering.co.uk.

New Amateur Radio bill introduced in Congress

The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act, which died at the end of the 111th Congress, has been re-introduced in the 112th Congress as HR 81.
The sponsor is Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX-18). The new bill - which was introduced on January 5 - has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Rep Jackson Lee first introduced the bill - HR 2160 - in the 111th Congress in April 2009. It gained an additional 41 co-sponsors but did not progress out of the committee of jurisdiction. A similar bill introduced in the Senate - S 1755 - made it all the way through that body in December 2009, but likewise was not taken up by the House.
The objective of the bill - which is supported by the ARRL - is for the Secretary of Homeland Security to study the uses and capabilities of Amateur Radio communications in emergencies and disaster relief and to identify and make recommendations regarding impediments to Amateur Radio communications, such as the effects of private land use regulations on residential antenna installations.
"We are hopeful that this early start will lead to success in the new Congress," commented ARRL Chief Executive Officer David Sumner, K1ZZ.

TRRS #27A - Status and Upcoming Shows for 2011