January 25, 2026 by Frank Karnauskas<https://www.amsat.org/author/n1uw/>


In this edition:


* FO-29 Operating Schedule for February 2026

* ESA-Led CCSDS Competition Registration Now Open

* Feature Story Editors & Video Editor Wanted

* Using Neural Networks to Recover Satellite Signals

* 2025 President?s Club Members Contribute $90,379

* Changes to AMSAT TLE Distribution for January 15, 2026

* ARISS News

* Ambassador Activities

* Satellite Shorts


The AMSAT(R) News Service bulletins are a free, weekly news and information service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS publishes news related to Amateur Radio in Space including reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites.


T

he news feed on http://www.amsat.org publishes news of Amateur Radio in Space as soon as our volunteers can post it.



Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor [at]
amsat.org .



Sign up for free e-mail delivery of the AMSAT News Service Bulletins via the ANS List. Join this list at: https://mailman.amsat.org/postorius/lists/ans.amsat.org/



FO-29 Operating Schedule for February 2026

The FO-29 Control team sometimes receives requests regarding the operation of Fuji No.3, but as they have already reported, more than a quarter of a
century after its launch, the situation remains unstable. They regret that
they are unable to operate Fuji No.3 in accordance with your wishes under
these circumstances, and they ask for your understanding and continued use of her.



During February, the control team plans to send a command to turn on the transponder at the following times, but please be advised that if it is not turned on for more than 2 minutes after they start sending the command, they will terminate the command work.



February

6th 23:14-

7th 22:19-

13th 22:03-

14th 22:53-

20th 22:36-

21st 23:27-

27th 23:10-

28th 22:12-


Note: FO-29 will enter full sunlight around March 9.


Editor?s note: Full sunlight will hopefully allow continuous operation of FO-29?s linear transponder.


Sources (Japanese only):

https://www.jarl.org/Japanese/3_Fuji/fuji3-202210.htm


[ANS thanks JARL for the above information.]


________________________________


Join AMSAT & Download a Free Copy

?Getting Started with Amateur Satellites?


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Membership Renewals Also Qualify.(Renew at any time.)

Limited Time Offer!

https://launch.amsat.org/Membership


________________________________


ESA-Led CCSDS Competition Registration Now Open

David Johnson, G4DPZ, AMSAT-UK Honorable Secretary reminds everyone that the ESA-led Competition, in collaboration with AMSAT-UK, AMSAT-DL, CCSDS, and Goonhilly Earth Station, is now open to European and Canadian teams and individual participants.



Entrants will work on real space communication standards, including CCSDS and LunaNet protocols. The European Space Agency (ESA) is launching a pilot
program on behalf of the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems
(CCSDS). This outreach initiative aims to strengthen engagement with the European amateur satellite and academic communities.


Participants may choose to develop implementations for either of these CCSDS protocols:



LunaNet Signal-In-Space (LSIS-AFS)

Defines how lunar orbiters or surface systems broadcast a unified navigation and timing signal to support future missions on and around the Moon. Develop
a functional concept or prototype demonstrating signal design, transmission, interpretation, or application for lunar missions.



Space Communications Session Control (CCSDS 235.1)

Defines how space missions establish, manage, and conclude communication sessions between spacecraft and ground systems. Create a practical, interoperable reference implementation aligned with the CCSDS 235.1 standard.


Winners will receive an invitation to attend a CCSDS conference, where they will present their results to the international CCSDS community.



An in-person workshop at Goonhilly Earth Station will be available to interested participants, providing a unique environment for collaboration, expert guidance, and accelerated development.



Register and learn more: https://esa-competition.amsat-uk.org/about


[ANS thanks David Johnson, G4DPZ, AMSAT-UK Honorable Secretary for the above information.]



________________________________


The 2026 Coins Are Here!

Help Support GOLF-TEE and FoxPlus!


[Presidents' Club 2026 Coin]


Annual memberships start at only $120

Join the AMSAT President?s Club today and help

Keep Amateur Radio in Space!

https://www.amsat.org/join-the-amsat-presidents-club/


________________________________


Help Wanted: Feature Story Editors & Video Editor

Sharing news of AMSAT activities, especially the work of the AMSAT
Engineering Department, is an important function that supports AMSAT?s information and education mission. It is also an important tool for retaining current members, recruiting new members and for fund raising.



Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development is asking, ?Do we have two volunteers who can step up and spend just a few hours a week to help keep our information channel flowing?



?For the Feature Story Editors, we have a pool of information that we?ve collected from Hamvention and Symposium presentations that can be quickly converted into short stories for publication in the ANS Weekly Bulletins and into feature stories for The AMSAT Journal. We typically start with a video
or at least an audio recording of the presentation which you would convert
into a written transcript using an application that we provide. The editor
then uses the transcript and the author?s original PowerPoint slides to
create the final articles.



?We also have the need for someone to write press releases for other AMSAT activities such as Educational Resources, the Youth Initiative, annual
reports and so on.



?For the Video Editor, again we have a collection of videos from
presentations that simply need opening titles to be added and a bit of
?tuning up? inside the presentations themselves. There is no need for
expensive software or especially super high power computers. Free software
that is remarkably powerful but easy-to-learn is available. If a person is interested we would also welcome someone to create promotional video shorts
or other programs they are willing to create.



?We?re not asking anyone for a life-long commitment to these positions.
Anyone who is willing to say, ?Hey, I can do five or ten stories? would
be a hero in my book.?



Persons interested in learning more about how they can make an important contribution can contact Frank at volunteer [at] amsat [dot] org.



[ANS thanks Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, AMSAT VP-Development for the above information.]



________________________________


Need new satellite antennas?

Purchase M2 LEO-Packs from the AMSAT Store.


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M2 LEO-Pack Antenna

When you purchase through AMSAT, a portion of the proceeds goes towards

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space.

https://amsat.org/product-category/hardware/


________________________________


Using Neural Networks to Recover Satellite Signals

Edwin Temporal has shown how his proprietary neuromorphic engine, GhostHunter (Anti-LIF), is being used to recover satellite data buried in the noise
floor, which typical DSP methods would fail to do.



To recover the signals, Edwin uses trained Spiking Neural Networks (SNN).
SNNs are artificial neural networks that draw further inspiration from nature by incorporating the ?spiking? on/off behavior of real neurons. Edwin
writes:



?My engine has successfully extracted and decoded structured data from high-complexity targets by mimicking biological signal processing:



* Technosat: Successful decoding of GFSK modulations under extreme frequency drift and low SNR conditions.


* MIT RF-Challenge: Advanced recovery of QPSK signals where traditional digital signal processing (DSP) often fails to maintain synchronization.
?These missions are fully documented in the https://temporaledwin58-creator.github.io/ghosthunter-database/, which serves as a public ledger for my signal recovery operations. Furthermore, the underlying Anti-LIF architecture is academically backed by my publication on TechRxiv, proving its efficiency in processing signals buried deep within the noise floor.?


*

In the database, Edwin shows how his Anti-LIF system has recovered CW Morse code telemetry and QPSK data from noisy satellite signals.



While Edwin?s Anti-LIF is proprietary, he is offering proof of concept decoding. If someone has a 250MB or less IQ/SigMF/Wav recording of a signal that is buried in the noise floor, they can submit it to him via his website, and he will run Anti-LIF on it for analysis.



Advanced readers interested in AI/neural network techniques for signal
recovery can also check out his white paper on TechRxiv, https://tinyurl.com/ANS-025-Neural-Networks where he shows signal recovery
from signals buried in WiFi noise, as well as results from use in ECG and Healthcare applications.



[ANS thanks RTL-SDR.com for the above information.]


________________________________


2025 President?s Club Members Contribute $90,379

AMSAT President, Drew Glasbrenner, KO4MA thanks 2025 President?s Club
members who, together have donated an amazing $90,379. It is because of these especially generous donors that AMSAT has the resources to Help Keep Amateur Radio in Space. With the FoxPlus and GOLF-TEE satellites nearing flight readiness, AMSAT especially appreciates these contributions to help purchase flight-proven parts, specialized software licenses, test fees, shipping and travel costs. It just couldn?t be done without their support.



Contributors include:


Diamond ($10,000+)

Barry Baines, WD4ASW

Bill Byrom, N5BB

Walter Wittenberg, K0CEH


Titanium ($4,800+)

Alan Biddle, WA4SCA

William Brown, K9LF

Bruce Paige, KK5DO


Platinum ($2,400+)

Steve Belter, N9IP

Ray Crafton, KN2K

Frank Karnauskas, N1UW

Douglas Tabor, N6UA

James Tittsler, 7J1AJH


Gold ($1,200+)

Dwight Ausssieker, K9QJ

Burns Fisher, WB1FJ

Mark Hammond, N8MH

Kenneth Hensey, WA9ARE

John Kludt, K7SYS

Glenn Miller, AA5PK

Mary Lou Monteiro


Silver ($600+)

Warren Fugate, W3WE

Mark Johns, K0JM

Joseph, Lynch,N6CL

Jason Schwarz, N4JJS

Scott Shaheen, WB8OOJ


Bronze ($300+)

Keith Baker, KB1SF

Cox Science Center & Aquarium

Edward Krome, K9EK

Donald Pettigrew, K9ECT

Bruce Semple, WA3SWJ

Barbara Simpson, KA5CFB

Thomas Talley, K0CFI

Dave Taylor, W8AAS

Chris Trainor, N1KET


Core ($120+)

Mitch Ahrenstorff, AD0HJ

Alan Boggs, K7IIV

Richard Dittmer, KB7SAT

Ronald Gilbert, N0XRG

David Hartrum, WA3YDZ

Oimo Kako

John Larrick, N3FL

Brian Lopeman, KI7WXP

Doug Papay, K8DP

Carlos Picoto, AD7NP & Maria Picoto, KJ7TIM

William Pesci, N4WLP

Tim Pierce, N9PN

Larry Schroeder, KD4HSL

Martin Shinko, KB3AEV

Philmore Smith, W1EME

Paul Stoetzer, N8HM

David Vine, WA1EAW

Wayne Wagner, AG1A

Jim Wilmerding, W2NNU


[ANS thanks AMSAT for the above information.]


________________________________


Want to fly the colors on your own grid expedition?

Get your AMSAT car flag and other neat stuff from our Zazzle store!


[Zazzle Flag]

25% of the purchase price of each product goes towards

Keeping Amateur Radio in Space

https://www.zazzle.com/amsat_gear


________________________________


Changes to AMSAT-NA TLE Distribution for January 26, 2026

Two Line Elements or TLEs, often referred to as Keplerian elements or keps in the amateur community, are the inputs to the SGP4 standard mathematical model of spacecraft orbits used by most amateur tracking programs. Weekly updates
are completely adequate for most amateur satellites. TLE bulletin files are updated daily in the first hour of the UTC day. New bulletin files will be posted immediately after reliable elements become available for new amateur satellites. More information may be found at https://www.amsat.org/keplerian-elements-resources/.



The following satellite has been removed from this week?s AMSAT TLE distribution:



ZIMSAT 2 NORAD Cat ID 61783 Decayed from orbit on or about 19 Jan 2025.


[ANS thanks Joe Fitzgerald, KM1P, AMSAT Orbital Elements Manager for the
above information.]



________________________________


ARISS NEWS

Amateurs and others around the world may listen in on contacts between
amateurs operating in schools and allowing students to interact with
astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station. The
downlink frequency on which to listen is 145.800 MHz worldwide.



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Upcoming Contacts


+ Conn Magnet Elementary School, Raleigh, NC., direct via K4EB.

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be NA1SS.

The scheduled crewmember is Chris Williams, KJ5GEW.

The ARISS mentor is Robert Koepke,AA6TB .

Contact is go for Friday, January 30, 2026 at 15:21:05 UTC

Watch for Livestream at https://www.youtube.com/@connmagnetes.


+ Lyceum No. 23, Kaliningrad, Russia, direct via TBD.

The ISS callsign is presently scheduled to be RS?ISS.

The scheduled crewmember is Sergey Mikaev.

The ARISS mentor is A.R.C. Energia, RV3DR.

Contact is go for Thursday, February 5, 2026 at 10:45 UTC.


The crossband repeater continues to be active (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} &
437.800 MHz down). If any crewmember is so inclined, all they have to do is pick up the microphone, raise the volume up, and talk on the crossband repeater. So give a listen, you just never know.



The packet system is also active (145.825 MHz up & down).


As always, if there is an EVA, a docking, or an undocking; the ARISS radios
are turned off as part of the safety protocol.



Note, all times are approximate. It is recommended that you do your own
orbital prediction or start listening about 10 minutes before the listed
time.



The latest information on the operation mode can be found at https://www.ariss.org/current-status-of-iss-stations.html



The latest list of frequencies in use can be found at https://www.ariss.org/contact-the-iss.html



[ANS thanks Charlie Sufana, AJ9N, one of the ARISS operation team mentors for the above information.]



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AMSAT Ambassador Activities

AMSAT Ambassadors provide presentations, demonstrate communicating through amateur satellites, and host information tables at club meetings, hamfests, conventions, maker faires, and other events.



[AMSAT Ambassador News Logo]

+ February 13-15, 2026

Hamcation 2026

Central Florida Fairgrounds and Expo Park

Colonial Drive

Orlando, Florida

AMSAT will have a table and many items available for purchase

Contact Dave Jordan, AA4KN to volunteer n4csitwo@bellsouth.net<mailto:n4csitwo@bellsouth.net>



+ March 21, 2026

Midwinter Madness Hamfest 2026

Maple Grove Radio Club

Buffalo Civic Center

1306 County Rd 134

Buffalo, Minnesota 55313

https://k0ltc.org/midwinter-madness/

K0JM, AD0HJ, KE0PBR


[ANS thanks Bo Lowrey, W4FCL, Director ? AMSAT Ambassador Program, for the above information.]



________________________________


Satellite Shorts From All Over


* A key antenna in NASA?s Deep Space Network (DSN), one that was
damaged last fall, is expected to remain offline until May. Then, it will be taken out of service again later this year for major upgrades. The DSS-14 antenna, a 70-meter dish at the DSN complex in Goldstone, California, was damaged Sept. 16 when it over-rotated, stressing cabling and piping. DSS-14
is one of three 70-meter antennas in the DSN; the others are located near Madrid, Spain, and Canberra, Australia. The 70-meter antennas are used to communicate with distant spacecraft or those experiencing technical problems. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information.)



* China suffered a pair of launch failures within 12 hours on Jan. 16 and 17. This included the loss of a classified Shijian satellite after a Long
March 3B lifted off at 1655 UTC from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation
(CASC) confirmed the failure around 12 hours after liftoff, stating that the Shijian-32 satellite had been lost following a third stage anomaly. Roughly
12 hours later, the Ceres-2 lifted off at 0408 UTC on Jan. 17. from the
Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China. Galactic Energy confirmed the loss of the debut flight, stating that an anomaly had occurred and that
the specific cause is under further investigation. (ANS thanks SpaceNews for the above information.)





________________________________


Join AMSAT today at https://launch.amsat.org/

In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership to:




* Societies (a recognized group, clubs or organization).

* Students are eligible for FREE membership up to age 25.

* Memberships are available for annual and lifetime terms.


Contact info [at] amsat.org for additional membership information.


73 and remember to help Keep Amateur Radio in Space!


This week?s ANS Editor, Frank Karnauskas, N1UW.

f.karnauskas [at] amsat [dot] org


ANS is a service of AMSAT, the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation, 712 H Street NE, Suite 1653, Washington, DC 20002.


AMSAT is a registered trademark of the Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation.




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