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

TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor
by John Kopala 04 Dec '06

04 Dec '06

Thanks Dom, Cool. I think I've got it. In summary, the Rotor wiper on terminal 1 becomes ground reference and terminal 3 becomes the indicator voltage. The resistor and pot are used to scale the voltage to the desired range. And no problems with a ground loop occur because the 0 reference voltage is the grounded wiper of the rotor. I can get the positive reference voltage from the Ken-Pro KR-500 for the A to D converter. Now why didn't I think of that? Pretty simple. Thanks a bunch. John Kopala N7JK > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "i8cvs" <domenico.i8cvs(a)tin.it> > To: "John Kopala" <jkopala(a)gmail.com>; "AMSAT-BB" <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 12:11 PM > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor > > >> Hi John, N7JK >> >> I don't know if the control box of your CDE HAM-IV is similar to my >> Tailtwister T2X but they should be similar. >> >> Since I am interested on this matter I have made some measurements to >> see if my T2X is a suitable rotator or not for a future automatic >> tracking >> system of my antennas. >> >> The above rotator has the wiper of a 500 ohm potentiometer mechanically >> coupled to the inside of the aluminum hood using a cogged >> copper-berillium >> spring to get it rotate by 360° when the hood rotates. >> >> Unfortunately going back and forth the mechanical coupling became >> too loose because of the aluminum wear and a big backlash between >> the actual position of the antennas and the indicated azimuth creates >> an error that make the above mentioned system less suitable for precise >> tracking purposes using this type of rotators. >> >> From the electrical point of view the wiper of the potentiometer is >> grounded >> by the aluminum hood and cannot be insulated. >> >> The negative terminal of milliamperometer ( I ) is connected to ground >> via >> a 5k calibrating pot. while the positive of it is connected to the >> positive >> of a power supply via a fixed 10 k resistor. >> >> Terminal 3 of the 500 ohm potentiometer is connected to the positive and >> terminal 7 is connected to the negative of a stabilized voltage and both >> terminals 3 and 7 are insulated from the ground. >> >> During operation when the wiper of the potentiometer is all the way to 3 >> the positive of the power supply is grounded and no current circulates in >> ( I ) >> >> When the wiper is all the way to 7 the negative of the power supply is >> grounded and the maximum positive voltage is available across ( I ) >> >> Connecting a voltmeter between the positive terminal 3 and the ground in >> 1 a positive voltage between 0 volt and about 13 volt is linearly >> available >> during 360° rotation. >> >> If you need 5 volt for your Trakbox you should connect to terminal 3 a 5 >> k >> resistor in series to a 5k potentiometer in order to get 10 k across >> terminals 3 and 1 and get + 5 volts from the wiper and ground i.e. from >> the >> wiper and terminal 1 >> >> The system works but because of the above mentioned problem rotators like >> Yaesu and Ken-Pro are better for tracking purposes. >> >> 73" de >> >> i8CVS Domenico >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "John Kopala" <jkopala(a)gmail.com> >> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >> Sent: Sunday, December 03, 2006 12:11 AM >> Subject: [amsat-bb] TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor >> >> >>> I am looking for a method to interface the TrakBox Azimuth Sense input >>> to >> the Azimuth indicator level from a CDE/Hy-Gain HAM-IV / CD-45-II Rotator. >>> >>> It would seem that without a circuit to isolate the grounded return to >>> the >> control box meter the likelyhood of a ground loop occuring is high. The >> TrakBox expects an Azimuth indicator voltage to vary between 0 (its local >> DC >> ground level) and the positive reference voltage for the rotors. >>> >>> I assume there are some TrakBox users using rotators other than the >>> Yaesu >> and Ken-Pro rotors who have encountered this problem and come up with a >> solution. There is no point in reinventing the wheel if there is already >> a >> suitable solution available that I can use. >>> >>> I did receive a suggestion to use an op-amp to convert the level. >>> >>> Any suggestions from TrakBox users? >>> >>> John Kopala >>> N7JK >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> 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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Advertising and Fundraising (was Re: Re: [bod] A web search tool...)
by Emily Clarke 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

>At 10:56 AM 2/14/2006, Woody wrote: >>Ed wrote: >Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >like MicroSoft. People who give a RIP crop up when they find out companies who do this kind of marketing have violated their privacy. Then they get very angry, and in some cases that anger is unfairly directed at AMSAT. If you don't believe me, send me an email and I'll share emails that blame us for disclosing it or an equal amount that claim we are "too strict" on protecting personal information. We are committed to protecting all of your personal information and I personally will resign before I work as a volunteer for any organization who isn't committed to the protecting your information. There is no easy way for an organization that is volunteer led to develop the bandwidth to make sure we can endorse any such scheme. The alternative is to have your contributions and dues go to pay staff salaries rather than have that money go to build satellites. Unfortunately, if we were to grow that large, the trend is that non-profits are more likely to sell off your information to pay for overhead. At AMSAT, none of us are paid staff. I certainly am not. We barely get compensated for our out of pocket expenses, and Area Coordinators get paid nothing for gas and mileage (and in my case, transportation to give presentations in California, some of which are up to 500 miles away!) On the other hand I have been a long proponent, even before I joined the board and since joining the board, that we could ultimately raise at least $100K per year if we could advertise on our website. However even this is controversial and I have been shot down every time I have proposed it to the board, I think is going on three times now. But I respect the people who have been opposed, though I disagree and grow tired of the same arguments it is a board decision, and we must abide by the votes. To many of you, all of this including, the web search thing, must seem like a no-brainer. I can assure you that it isn't. If you think it is, ask yourself where someone doing targeting marketing to you got the information. Then ask yourself this question: Are you willing to allow AMSAT sell off your personal information to launch a new satellite? Certainly some of you may, I suspect most will not. A better way to deal with this is to consider this: Is it worth it to you for AMSAT to keep your personal information private? If you think so, go to the store and donate $10 - that's the same as a couple of thousand clicks or so. If you don't want to use the online store, call Martha at call 1-888-322-6728 (USA and Canada). Better still, pay for the call by dialing (301) 589-6062. You can also send a check or even (*gasp*) just send a holiday card with a $10 bill. It's all good, and if you want it to go to Eagle or P3E, tell us - we will make sure it gets there. 73, Emily, N1DID At 10:56 AM 2/14/2006, Woody wrote: >Ed wrote: > >>Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >>like MicroSoft. Those that can utilize this search tool to help raise a >>few more bucks should. If you can't or won't use it....then send Amsat >>support some other way...geesh my delete finger is getting sore from this >>thread. > > >FINALLY! Someone had something intelligent to say about this thread. > >Thanks, Ed. > >73, > >Woody >KJ4SO > > >----- Original Message ----- From: "Edward R. Cole" <al7eb(a)acsalaska.net> >To: "G8IFF/KC8NHF" <nigel(a)ngunn.net> >Cc: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 6:40 AM >Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: [bod] A web search tool that costs you >nothing and generates donations to AMSAT > > >>At 10:43 AM 2/14/2006 +0000, G8IFF/KC8NHF wrote: >>>Who'se doing the insulting. >>>It's about time that the majority realised that Microsoft isn't the ONLY >>>way to go. >>>Some of us exersise the choice we've been given. >>> >>>If you're happy with Microsoft products, that's fine. I'm not. >> >>I thought this was about raising funds so we could launch satellites >>....Like Eagle? >>Who gives a rip about what websearch tool or browser you use or whether you >>like MicroSoft. Those that can utilize this search tool to help raise a >>few more bucks should. If you can't or won't use it....then send Amsat >>support some other way...geesh my delete finger is getting sore from this >>thread. >> >>ALL that I am going to say....don't bother to flame me...I will not >>respond...this is enough, already! >> >>Ed - KL7UW >>---- >>Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >>To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo(a)amsat.org >---- >Sent via amsat-bb(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >Not an AMSAT member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! >To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe amsat-bb" to Majordomo(a)amsat.org

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Please do not use too much power on the uplinks
by DeYoung James 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Greetings, I have noticed since about 15 November 2006, for sure since 25 November my loopback frequency measurement values on FO-29 have changed and are more variable. Normally my loopback frequencies on FO-29 are stable at the several hundreds of Hz but lately they are variable with a peak range of 1.5-kHz--so far. Now I know why lately I am getting these loopback frequency changes from pass-to-pass and day-to-day. When the passband is saturated the frequency translation is non-linear. Additionally, distortion becomes a problem for all users when the passband is saturated. James A. DeYoung (KG4QWC), 3218 Wellington Road, Alexandria, VA 22302-2229, deyoung_james(a)yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Need a quick answer? Get one in minutes from people who know. Ask your question on www.Answers.yahoo.com

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Please do not use too much power on the uplinks
by OZ1MY 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Hi all (Europe) During this weekend I have heard a lot of stations using far too much power on the uplinks to VO-52 and FO-29. Some even say that they are using 80 to 100 W to relatively large antennas - that is not necessary. It is counterproductive and make it difficult for small (QRP) stations to work the satellites. NO - I do not want to be a police man but it makes a very bad impression on potential satellite users on ham meetings, where I have tried to make them active on the satellites. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Up coming launch? Kiwisat
by G0MRF＠aol.com 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Hello all. Here's an announcement that seems to have slipped under the radar. Kiwisat would appear to be a mainstream AMSAT spacecraft with a lot of interest for everyone. It appears to be on the Russian launch manifest for May 2007 _http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/russia-man.txt_ (http://www.sworld.com.au/steven/space/russia-man.txt) May 07 Denpr-1 KatySat 1, KiwiSat, AtmoCube, PolySat 3/4 (CP3/4), CubeSat RAFT, Funsat, UCISat 1, CAPE 1, Libertad 1, MAST 1-3 _http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jpsl/Kiwisat_progress5.htm_ (http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~jpsl/Kiwisat_progress5.htm) - dated Jan 06 Thanks David G0MRF

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updating keps
by James Sanford 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

What should the IP adr for amsat keps be?? I just downloaded SatPC 32 V.12.6 and all my attemps at updating keps fail ( so says the pop-up box). Thanks Jim K8ZZU

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TrakBox Interface to HAM-IV Azimuth Rotor
by John Kopala 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

I am looking for a method to interface the TrakBox Azimuth Sense input to the Azimuth indicator level from a CDE/Hy-Gain HAM-IV / CD-45-II Rotator. It would seem that without a circuit to isolate the grounded return to the control box meter the likelyhood of a ground loop occuring is high. The TrakBox expects an Azimuth indicator voltage to vary between 0 (its local DC ground level) and the positive reference voltage for the rotors. I assume there are some TrakBox users using rotators other than the Yaesu and Ken-Pro rotors who have encountered this problem and come up with a solution. There is no point in reinventing the wheel if there is already a suitable solution available that I can use. I did receive a suggestion to use an op-amp to convert the level. Any suggestions from TrakBox users? John Kopala N7JK

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VRS 2006 Hour spent on behalf of AMSAT
by Gunther Meisse 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

Attention AMSAT Volunteers: It is that time of the year again. We need to be sure as many volunteer hours as possible have been reported to the VRS (Volunteer Reporting System) on the AMSAT web site. Over the last few years thousands of dollars of volunteer time have been reported and we are sure this year will be our largest given all the work that has done on Eagle. If you are already registered on the VRS site please take a few minutes and report these 2006 hours. If you have not reported before, please visit amsat.org, register, and help us keep track of this important aspect of the AMSAT mission. We'll keep the year open until the middle of January but hope you will take the time within the next couple weeks to update your report. You may combine your efforts for the entire year into one filing if that would make the process more convenient. Looking forward to your reports. Have a great holiday season. Regards, Gunther Meisse W8GSM AMSAT Treasurer

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FO-29 status Dec.3
by Mineo Wakita 03 Dec '06

03 Dec '06

HI HI A6 03 88 D5 8F F3 05 25 00 24 46 8F 74 48 92 8E 9C 78 80 7E 80 81 75 Decoded by fo29cwts.exe Solar Current 1137.3 [mA] Battery Current 588.8 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.7 [V] Middle Voltage 6.8 [V] Bus Voltage 15.3 [V] JTA Tx Power 681.9 [mW] Structure1 Temp 32.2 [C] Structure2 Temp 32.9 [C] Structure3 Temp 32.2 [C] Structure4 Temp 31.8 [C] Battery Cell Temp 36.4 [C] --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 3, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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AO-07 healthy CW Dec.3
by Mineo Wakita 02 Dec '06

02 Dec '06

I could hear AO-07 CW at 00:01 UTC, Dec 3, elevation 51 deg around 145.972 MHz. --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 3, 2006 ---------------------------------------------

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