December 2006 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re flex cable for rotor loop
by Steve Raas 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Alan , thanks for the info.. I may just stick with the 400UF then. My plan was to buy the CNT-400 for the 2m Antenna and use the 400UF for the loop. and run the 600/600UF for the 435 antenna. Im trying to keep my loss to under 1 dB pr/band and with an initial run from rig to preamp being a WHOPPING 35' (insert laugh here) I may just be able to run 400 all the way across the board. Would save me a lota cash that's for sure! If my math is right my 145 mhz system would have .525 dB Loss in just the main 35' feed line (CNT-400 @ .015 dB loss pr/foot), not including the AG-25 Preamp in which I'll take a guess at being probabally .5 - .75 dB then the 400UF @ 15' bring me up to close to if not slightly more than 1.5 dB.. and obviously more on 435.. I'll have to make some precise measurments with some 12ga wire and see what my actual feed length will be, I may be off quite a bit and in just eye balling it I may be able to have a main run from rig to pre-amp of 25', if that's the case I'll just use the CNT400 for both band as main feed and the UF for the rotor loop. I haven't been on the air in a few years.. and all this R.F. talk is making me feel like a kid in a candy store. Keep in touch -Steve Raas N2JDQ Steve, I use the 400UF as do many others, and it is an excellent choice. Unless you have an unusual situation, going to 600UF doesn't make a lot of sense up through mode L, and probably mode S. The run just isn't that long. Another good choice is the BuryFlex, which has only very slightly greater losses than the 400UF. Alan WA4SCA

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Flexible cable for Rotor loop
by Steve Raas 09 Dec '06

09 Dec '06

Has any one had any experience with LMR-400UF and LMR-600UF cables within a rotor loop? Looking for feedback before I make any purchases. Thanks in advance! -Steve Raas N2JDQ

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Re: ANDE and Amateur Astronomers?
by Robert Bruninga 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

> Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] ANDE and Amateur Astronomers? > > Bob - Do the lasers have any modulation on them we might try to > receive? Yes. They are pulsed at different rates so the ranging station can tell which one they are seeing. The rates are between 1 to 6 flashes per second or so... Simply ON/OFF. Bob > >The next Amateur Satellite, ANDE, to be launched any day now > >will have six lasers on board that we can turn on at any time. > >But the lasers are each dispursed over at least 45 degrees so > >the actual illumination is no brighter than a common red LED. > > > >I doubt anyone will be able to see it, so don't bother trying. > > > >However, there are a few very dedicated amateur astronomers that > >have the high precision tracking capability that have taken > >photos of the Shuttle and the ISS. They might want to take a > >crack at it. > > > >I'm looking for someone with a foot in that camp to be a focal > >point of contact for such an effort. > > > >It would not be soon after launch, but a little while after they > >have developed a really good track on it. > > > >Bob Bruninga, WB4APR > > > >_______________________________________________ > >Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of > the author. > >Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > >Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > >

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Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments.
by john heath 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Hi Guys, Jason N1XBP raises an interesting question, did any non governmental organisation or amateur observer capture any transmissions from the ALSEP experimental packages which several Apollo missions took to the moon. I believe they used S band, pretty exotic for hams in the 1970's I guess. The snip below ABOUT alsepwas taken from from "answers.com" and was referenced back to Wikipedia The instruments were designed to run autonomously after the astronauts left and to make long term studies of the lunar environment. They were arrayed around a central station which supplied power generated by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to run the instruments and communications so data collected by the experiments could be relayed to Earth. The central station was a 25 kg box with a stowed volume of 34,800 cubic cm. Thermal control was achieved by passive elements (insulation, reflectors, thermal coatings) as well as power dissipation resistors and heaters. Communications with Earth were achieved through a 58 cm long, 3.8 cm diameter modified axial-helical antenna mounted on top of the central station and pointed towards Earth by the astronauts. Transmitters, receivers, data processors and multiplexers were housed within the central station. Data collected from the instruments were converted into a telemetry format and transmitted to Earth. The ALSEP system and instruments were controlled by commands from Earth. The stations ran from deployment until they were turned off on 30 September 1977 due to budgetary considerations. 73, John G7HIA

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space weather
by Ronald Long 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Check http://spaceweather.com/ Note that "By next week, Northern Lights could reach deep into the United States. Stay tuned. (And keep your fingers crossed.) " ron w8gus

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AO-51 Modes
by Clare Fowler 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

On the 1535 UYC pass with a max elevation of 17 degrees I had real difficulty getting into the bird with a good signal. I could hear myself just in and out of the noise. The SSB audio moved all over the place by as much as +/- 1000 Hz. Only other sig heard with most of NA in window was a very week CW note moving back and forth across the pass band. Clare VE3NPC No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 12/7/2006

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Re: [ao51-modes]
by Clare Fowler 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

On the 02:00 UTC first pass after the switchover one I found AO-51 was in L(ssb)/S and was able to tune myself in however did not have time to really check it out. This am on 14:00 UTC pass had good overhead pass and worked well. My FT-736R with 10 W out read an uplink freq of 12687015 for reasonable audio. However there is some change in freq of +/- about 100 Hz required to keep it right on. The audio level is low. I heard someone else trying but could not copy anything. My uplink is 4 x 27 turn helix array with a circumference of 1 wavelength and pitch angle of 12.5 degrees which according to published NEC modeling should not work nearly as well as they do. See my article in May/June 2006 AMSAT Journal. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "OZ1MY" > > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S > Hi all, > Just tried it and it works - but used a lot of power > on the L band uplink. > > Power at antennas approximately 15 W PEP > > Antennas are 2 19 turn helix types > > Downlink the usual BBQ Grill dish 60 by 90 cm linear polarisation > > Had to change the frequency in the SatPC32 doppler file > 1321 Hz up. I am using USB on the uplink. > > Now it is: > > AO-51,2401198,1268701.321,FM,USB,Nor,2256000,0,Voice L/S > > Heard one or two other stations trying to get on frequency. > > 73 OZ1MY > Ib > > -- Original Message ----- >> From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" > >> Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 4:02 AM >> Subject: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule >> >> >>There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead of >> switching >> to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run through >> tomorrow >> evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode until >> 11DEC2006 >> at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS mode. Sorry >>for >> the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! >> >> 73, Drew KO4MA >> AMSAT-NA VP Operations -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.15.15/579 - Release Date: 12/7/2006

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AO-51 schedule
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead of switching to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run through tomorrow evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode until 11DEC2006 at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS mode. Sorry for the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Brace for impact!
by Alan P. Biddle 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

I came across an interesting article on a major solar storm on its way in a Russian source: http://www.kommersant.com/p728532/r_530/Sun_Magnetic_Storm/ Pay attention to the recommendations for us ground dwellers at the end. They are "interesting!" Alan WA4SCA The largest electromagnetic energy emission in the last 30 years has been recorded on the Sun, the Shernberg State Astronomy Institute said on Thursday. This energy outburst may damage equipment of space satellites, the scientists say. Doctors warn that the emission is dangerous for those afflicted with cardiovascular illnesses as well as for healthy people. Scientists at the Shernberg Astronomy Institute of the Moscow State University have reported record-high emissions of electromagnetic energy on the Sun, the biggest since the 1970s. Over the past few days, the volume of sun radiation, or X9, has exceeded the normal level 1,000-fold. The scientists call this phenomenon an anomaly and say that the Sun is now in a stage when sunspots, sources of high electromagnetic radiation, are unusual. "Outbursts on the Sun like this have been extremely infrequent over the past 30 years," said Igor Nikulin of the Shernberg Institute. "What is more, we have never had a chance to observe such emissions with the sun at its minimal activity." Scientists say that the first indications of increased solar activity were recorded on Monday when four sunspots appeared on the eastern part of the visible side of the solar disk. First, the scientists observed flashes on the Sun which were classified as moderate. However, the flashes were followed on Tuesday by massive outbursts of electromagnetic energy. "Such a large cloud of hot plasma has been released into space that even electronic equipment on space satellites may be damaged," Vladimir Matveev at the Moscow Aviation Institute says. The Sun's electromagnetic anomaly has not reached the Earth yet. However, the Earth is expected to reach the sunspots quite soon. The encounter may happen this weekend, scientists at the Shternberg Astronomy Institute report. Igor Nikulin says: "If the area of the sunspots does not diminish in three or four days and the emissions continue, it may have a serious influence on the magnetic field of the Earth." A cloud of hot plasma from the sunspots will make the Earth's magnetic field vibrate and will cause a powerful magnetic storm." Doctors recommend their patients to keep to a special regime during the magnetic storm. People with cardiovascular illness are believed to be at a particular risk. However, quite healthy people should be on their guard as well. "One should not go overboard with drinking, going to the sauna or doing extra work," Vladimir Ryabinin, chief physician at the Sklifosovskiy Ambulance Institute, advises. Other doctors suggest that people pay close attention to their health conditions during the days of the magnetic storm and go to consult their doctors in case of any problem. Anna Geroeva

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I: Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S
by Francesco Grappi 08 Dec '06

08 Dec '06

Hi Ib, thank you very much for your informations about AO-51, I tried to get through the transponder but without results. I'll try again this evening. 73" IW4DVZ Francesco > > -----Messaggio originale----- > > Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]]Per > > conto di OZ1MY > > Inviato: venerdi 8 dicembre 2006 10.16 > > A: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > > Cc: ao51-modes(a)amsat.org > > Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule mode-L(SSB)/S > > > > > > Hi all, > > Just tried it and it works - but used a lot of power > > on the L band uplink. > > > > Power at antennas approximately 15 W PEP > > > > Antennas are 2 19 turn helix types > > > > Downlink the usual BBQ Grill dish 60 by 90 cm linear polarisation > > > > Had to change the frequency in the SatPC32 doppler file > > 1321 Hz up. I am using USB on the uplink. > > > > Now it is: > > > > AO-51,2401198,1268701.321,FM,USB,Nor,2256000,0,Voice L/S > > > > Heard one or two other stations trying to get on frequency. > > > > 73 OZ1MY > > Ib > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "Andrew Glasbrenner" <glasbrenner(a)mindspring.com> > > To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > > Cc: <ao51-modes(a)amsat.org> > > Sent: Friday, December 08, 2006 4:02 AM > > Subject: [ao51-modes] AO-51 schedule > > > > > > > There is a minor change in the schedule as published. Instead > > of switching > > > to L SSB/U tonight, we ended up in L SSB/S. This will run > > through tomorrow > > > evening, when we will change to the announced L SSB/U mode > > until 11DEC2006 > > > at ~200Z when we go back to the normal V/U repeater and BBS > mode. Sorry > > for > > > the confusion, consider it a one day bonus mode! > > > > > > 73, Drew KO4MA > > > AMSAT-NA VP Operations > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > Via the AO51-modes mailing list courtesy of AMSAT-NA > > > AO51-modes(a)amsat.org > > > http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/ao51-modes > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur > satellite program! > > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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