🛰️ GCARC Satellite Report
May 16 offers 11 passes during the 9 AM–3 PM window — 7 FM and 4 linear transponder opportunities. Top passes: SO-50 (excellent at 86°, 10:48 AM), RS-44 (excellent at 79°, 09:51 AM), AO-123 (good at 50°, 10:02 AM). Note: SO-50 and AO-7 at 09:08 AM overlap — assign two operators.
| Start (ET) | Satellite | Mode | Quality | Dir | Dur | Frequencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:08 AM Peak: 09:14 AM |
SO-50 | FM | Low 14° | NE | 11 min | 145.850 ↑ / 436.795 ↓ PL 74.4 Hz |
| 09:14 AM Peak: 09:24 AM |
AO-7 | Linear 🎛️ | ✅ Good 31° | NW | 20 min | 432.125-432.175 ↑ / 145.925-145.975 ↓ Linear Mode B SSB/CW |
| 09:51 AM Peak: 10:02 AM |
RS-44 | Linear 🎛️ | ⭐ Excellent 79° | W | 23 min | 145.935-145.995 ↑ / 435.610-435.670 ↓ Linear SSB/CW |
| 10:02 AM Peak: 10:10 AM |
AO-123 | FM | ✅ Good 50° | WNW | 17 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.400 ↓ PL 67.0 Hz |
| 10:05 AM Peak: 10:09 AM |
AO-91 | FM | Fair 16° | W | 9 min | 435.250 ↑ / 145.960 ↓ PL 67.0 Hz |
| 10:13 AM Peak: 10:18 AM |
JO-97 | FM | Fair 20° | E | 10 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.910 ↓ PL 88.5 Hz |
| 10:17 AM Peak: 10:24 AM |
FO-29 | Linear 🎛️ | Low 9° | W | 14 min | 145.900-146.000 ↑ / 435.800-435.900 ↓ Linear SSB/CW |
| 10:48 AM Peak: 10:55 AM |
SO-50 | FM | ⭐ Excellent 86° | ENE | 13 min | 145.850 ↑ / 436.795 ↓ PL 74.4 Hz |
| 11:46 AM Peak: 11:51 AM |
JO-97 | FM | Fair 21° | WNW | 9 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.910 ↓ PL 88.5 Hz |
| 11:48 AM Peak: 11:57 AM |
RS-44 | Linear 🎛️ | Fair 16° | WNW | 19 min | 145.935-145.995 ↑ / 435.610-435.670 ↓ Linear SSB/CW |
| 12:29 PM Peak: 12:34 PM |
SO-50 | FM | Low 10° | WSW | 10 min | 145.850 ↑ / 436.795 ↓ PL 74.4 Hz |
📡 Frequency Reference — Saturday, May 16
- SO-50 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 436.795 MHz, PL 74.4 Hz
- AO-7 (Linear Mode B SSB/CW): ↑ 432.125-432.175 MHz / ↓ 145.925-145.975 MHz
- RS-44 (Linear SSB/CW): ↑ 145.935-145.995 MHz / ↓ 435.610-435.670 MHz
- AO-123 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 435.400 MHz, PL 67.0 Hz
- AO-91 (FM): ↑ 435.250 MHz / ↓ 145.960 MHz, PL 67.0 Hz
- JO-97 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 435.910 MHz, PL 88.5 Hz
- FO-29 (Linear SSB/CW): ↑ 145.900-146.000 MHz / ↓ 435.800-435.900 MHz
May 23 offers 8 passes during the 9 AM–3 PM window — 5 FM and 3 linear transponder opportunities. Top passes: AO-123 (good at 45°, 10:10 AM), SO-50 (good at 42°, 09:31 AM), JO-97 (good at 38°, 11:26 AM). Note: AO-7 and JO-97 at 09:46 AM overlap — assign two operators.
| Start (ET) | Satellite | Mode | Quality | Dir | Dur | Frequencies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09:03 AM Peak: 09:13 AM |
FO-29 | Linear 🎛️ | ✅ Good 33° | W | 18 min | 145.900-146.000 ↑ / 435.800-435.900 ↓ Linear SSB/CW |
| 09:31 AM Peak: 09:38 AM |
SO-50 | FM | ✅ Good 42° | WSW | 13 min | 145.850 ↑ / 436.795 ↓ PL 74.4 Hz |
| 09:46 AM Peak: 09:55 AM |
AO-7 | Linear 🎛️ | Fair 21° | NW | 18 min | 432.125-432.175 ↑ / 145.925-145.975 ↓ Linear Mode B SSB/CW |
| 09:53 AM Peak: 09:58 AM |
JO-97 | FM | Low 11° | E | 8 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.910 ↓ PL 88.5 Hz |
| 10:10 AM Peak: 10:18 AM |
AO-123 | FM | ✅ Good 45° | WNW | 17 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.400 ↓ PL 67.0 Hz |
| 10:46 AM Peak: 10:56 AM |
RS-44 | Linear 🎛️ | Fair 20° | WNW | 20 min | 145.935-145.995 ↑ / 435.610-435.670 ↓ Linear SSB/CW |
| 11:26 AM Peak: 11:31 AM |
JO-97 | FM | ✅ Good 38° | WNW | 10 min | 145.850 ↑ / 435.910 ↓ PL 88.5 Hz |
| 01:59 PM Peak: 02:03 PM |
ISS-FM | FM | Low 9° | SE | 8 min | 145.990 ↑ / 437.800 ↓ PL 67.0 Hz |
📡 Frequency Reference — Saturday, May 23
- FO-29 (Linear SSB/CW): ↑ 145.900-146.000 MHz / ↓ 435.800-435.900 MHz
- SO-50 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 436.795 MHz, PL 74.4 Hz
- AO-7 (Linear Mode B SSB/CW): ↑ 432.125-432.175 MHz / ↓ 145.925-145.975 MHz
- JO-97 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 435.910 MHz, PL 88.5 Hz
- AO-123 (FM): ↑ 145.850 MHz / ↓ 435.400 MHz, PL 67.0 Hz
- RS-44 (Linear SSB/CW): ↑ 145.935-145.995 MHz / ↓ 435.610-435.670 MHz
- ISS-FM (FM): ↑ 145.990 MHz / ↓ 437.800 MHz, PL 67.0 Hz
| System | Frequency | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ISS APRS (RS0ISS) | 145.825 MHz | Check ariss-usa.org/ARISS_APRS/ for live packets |
| Crossband FM Repeater (NA1SS) | 145.990 ↑ / 437.800 ↓ (PL 67) | Check ARISS for current activation status |
| Voice (ARISS school contacts) | 145.800 MHz | See ariss.org for schedule |
ISS passes Saturday May 16 (9 AM–3 PM ET):
- No high-elevation ISS passes during Saturday operating window
RS-44 continues to offer cross-Atlantic DX opportunities on low-to-moderate eastern passes where the footprint covers both New Jersey and Europe simultaneously. Passes below ~55° from ENE/E/ESE favor cross-Atlantic geometry. All times ET, 8 AM–10 PM window only.
| Date / Time (ET) | Max El. | Direction | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun May 10, 11:15 AM | ✅ 44° | WNW | 22 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 10, 07:17 PM | 13° | NE | 16 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 10, 09:10 PM | ⭐ 72° | E 🌍 | 21 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 11, 09:45 AM | ⭐ 64° | E 🌍 | 22 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 11, 11:40 AM | 29° | WNW | 21 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Mon May 11, 07:40 PM | 21° | ENE 🌍 | 18 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 11, 09:33 PM | ⭐ 75° | W | 21 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Tue May 12, 08:19 AM | 19° | E 🌍 | 19 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Tue May 12, 10:09 AM | ⭐ 87° | W | 23 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Tue May 12, 12:05 PM | 19° | WNW | 19 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Tue May 12, 08:04 PM | ✅ 33° | ENE 🌍 | 20 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Tue May 12, 09:57 PM | ✅ 48° | W | 20 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Wed May 13, 08:41 AM | ✅ 31° | E 🌍 | 21 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Wed May 13, 10:33 AM | ⭐ 59° | W | 23 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Wed May 13, 12:31 PM | 11° | NW | 17 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Wed May 13, 06:35 PM | 8° | NE | 14 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Wed May 13, 08:28 PM | ⭐ 52° | E 🌍 | 21 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Thu May 14, 09:04 AM | ✅ 47° | E 🌍 | 22 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Thu May 14, 10:57 AM | ✅ 39° | WNW | 22 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Thu May 14, 06:59 PM | 15° | NE | 17 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Thu May 14, 08:51 PM | ⭐ 80° | E 🌍 | 21 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Fri May 15, 09:27 AM | ⭐ 72° | E 🌍 | 23 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Fri May 15, 11:22 AM | 26° | WNW | 21 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Fri May 15, 07:22 PM | 24° | ENE 🌍 | 19 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Fri May 15, 09:15 PM | ⭐ 67° | W | 21 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sat May 16, 08:00 AM | 22° | E 🌍 | 19 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Sat May 16, 09:51 AM | ⭐ 79° | W | 23 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sat May 16, 11:48 AM | 16° | WNW | 19 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sat May 16, 07:46 PM | ✅ 37° | ENE 🌍 | 20 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Sat May 16, 09:39 PM | ✅ 42° | W | 20 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 17, 08:22 AM | ✅ 34° | E 🌍 | 21 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Sun May 17, 10:15 AM | ⭐ 53° | W | 23 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 17, 12:14 PM | 9° | NW | 16 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 17, 06:17 PM | 9° | NE | 14 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Sun May 17, 08:09 PM | ⭐ 58° | E 🌍 | 20 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 18, 08:45 AM | ⭐ 53° | E 🌍 | 22 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 18, 10:39 AM | ✅ 35° | WNW | 22 min | Domestic / high-elevation |
| Mon May 18, 06:40 PM | 16° | ENE 🌍 | 17 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Mon May 18, 08:33 PM | ⭐ 89° | ESE 🌍 | 20 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
| Tue May 19, 09:09 AM | ⭐ 79° | E 🌍 | 23 min | Cross-Atlantic DX geometry |
AMSAT’s StOTA Days are the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month — student-to-student satellite contacts encouraged. All satellite operators welcome to get on and make students feel welcome.
Upcoming StOTA Tuesdays — Woodruff Middle School (2:00–3:30 PM ET window):
| Date | Passes Available |
|---|---|
| Tue, May 12 | No FM passes in 2:00–3:30 PM window — check N2YO closer to date |
| Tue, May 19 | No FM passes in 2:00–3:30 PM window — check N2YO closer to date |
Equipment on site: Yaesu FT-991A (FM satellites). Good targets: JO-97, AO-123, SO-50, ISS FM repeater.
Hamvention 2026 — May 15–17, Xenia OH: AMSAT forum Saturday May 16, 1:50–3:10 PM, Forum Room 2. TAPR/AMSAT Banquet Friday May 15, 6:30 PM, $75, Kohler Presidential Banquet Center — purchase deadline May 11 at 5 PM EDT. AMSAT booth: Building 1, booths 1007–1010 and 1107–1110.
44th AMSAT Space Symposium — October 8–11, 2026 · Crowne Plaza JAX Airport, Jacksonville FL. Rooms $109/night. Watch AMSAT News Service for registration details.
W2MMD on SatNOGS: The clubhouse ground station is Station #223 — one of the most capable receiving sites in the Northeast. Schedule an observation at network.satnogs.org/stations/223.
Ten-Koh 2 (NORAD #68261, Nihon University 6U CubeSat, V/U linear transponder): Weak signals only — faint CW on 435.860 MHz. Okuyama Lab requesting SatNOGS reception reports. Upload a waterfall — null results are also useful data.
- SO-50: Arm with 2-second 74.4 Hz tone burst before transmitting (10-minute timer)
- AO-7: Mode B only when in sunlight — shuts down in eclipse (no battery)
- RS-44 & FO-29: Inverting V/u transponder — transmit LSB on uplink, receive USB on downlink
- AO-73 (FUNcube-1): Active in eclipse — inverting V/u: up LSB 435.130–435.150 / dn USB 145.950–145.970 MHz
- JO-97 (FO-118): Also has linear transponder: up LSB 435.100–435.120 / dn USB 145.855–145.875 MHz
- Pass predictions ±2 min — data from N2YO.com, coordinates 39.73°N 75.21°W
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