SB SPACE @ ARL $ARLS017   
   ARLS017 Fox-1A is Now AO-85, Transponder Temporarily Active!   
      
   ZCZC AS17   
   QST de W1AW   
   Space Bulletin 017  ARLS017   
   > From ARRL Headquarters   
   Newington, CT  October 9, 2015   
   To all radio amateurs   
      
   SB SPACE ARL ARLS017   
   ARLS017 Fox-1A is Now AO-85, Transponder Temporarily Active!   
      
   In what might have been record speed, AMSAT's new Fox-1A satellite received   
   its OSCAR designation on the day of its launch, and its FM transponder has   
   been activated temporarily until 0000 UTC on October 10. AMSAT OSCAR Number   
   Administrator Bill Tynan, W3XO, early today announced that Fox-1A is now   
   AO-85, and the CubeSat has been dedicated to the individual who was at the   
   helm of AMSAT's CubeSat projects until his death last year. The satellite   
   launched on October 8 at 1249 UTC. Fox-1A was briefly in transponder mode   
   early on October 9 (UTC).   
      
   "I have been informed of the successful launch today, October 8, 2015, of the   
   AMSAT-NA-built Fox-1A CubeSat. I am also informed that the satellite has been   
   heard by several amateurs in various countries," Tynan said in a news release.   
   "This successful launch comes after years of diligent and dedicated work on   
   the part of AMSAT-NA volunteers including Tony Monteiro, AA2TX, who became a   
   Silent Key in March 2014. It was Tony who spearheaded and guided the work on   
   all AMSAT-NA CubeSats until his untimely passing. Thus, it is only fitting   
   that this spacecraft be dedicated to his memory."   
      
   As Tynan noted, Jerry Buxton, N0JY, took over Monteiro's post of AMSAT-NA Vice   
   President for Engineering and successfully completed the project through its   
   preparation for launch.   
      
   "All of those who had a part in designing, constructing and testing Fox-1A and   
   its various subsystems are to be congratulated for jobs well done," Tynan   
   said. "Since Fox-1A was properly coordinated through IARU as an Amateur Radio   
   satellite, has been successfully launched and its signals have been received;   
   I, under the authority vested in me by the AMSAT-NA President, do hereby issue   
   to Fox-1A the designation AMSAT-OSCAR-85, or AO-85."   
      
   "A Great Day"   
      
   Telemetry and a distinctive voice ID from the new CubeSat have been heard   
   around the world. Fox-1A/AO-85 telemetry reports - raw and decoded - now are   
   available on the AMSAT website. The FoxTelem   
   software is available via the AMSAT website at, http://www.amsat   
   org/?page_id=4532 . Those attempting to copy AO-85 telemetry are advised to   
   use a "data out" source rather than "speaker" audio, since the low-rate   
   telemetry is subaudible.   
      
   "This was a great day for AMSAT, and for satellite operators around the   
   world," Patrick Stoddard, WD9EWK/VA7EWK, posted to the AMSAT-BB. "Almost 6   
   years to the day the AMSAT Fox project was unveiled at the 2009 AMSAT Space   
   Symposium in Baltimore, we now have the first of a series of Fox-1 satellites   
   in orbit. Some have even been able to talk through the satellite, with many   
   more hearing the voice announcements and copying telemetry. Congratulations to   
   all who have had a hand in building and launching Fox-1A today, and thanks to   
   everyone who has supported the Fox project over the past 6 years!"   
      
   AMSAT has produced a free, commemorative issue of the AMSAT Journal that   
   highlights the Fox-1A launch success. AMSAT also has posted a news report on   
   the launch at, http://www.amsat.org/?p=4591 .   
      
   NNNN   
   /EX   
      
   )\/(ark   
      
   ... I want to grow my own food but i can't find any bacon seeds :(   
   ---   
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