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

Re: Mode V/S across the pond ?
by Dave G1OCN 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

A couple of carriers on a good downlink. Nothing else heard. Wonder if you heard anything Andy ? Cheers, Dave.

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Icom 910H aux switching
by Keith Le Boutillier 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

Hi I wish to switch my amp and pre amps when using the Icom 910H Is their any way of having a switching line the changes when the rig goes into TX I have read the manual and checked the sockets on the back of the rig but can't see an aux switching line or voltage change or anything that I could use. Dose anyone have any advice or achieved what I wish to do 73 Keith GU6EFB No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/436 - Release Date: 01/09/2006

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Re: Icom 910H aux switching
by Scott Townley 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

Keith: My 2 pence worth is that the best way to do these things is with an external sequencer. The ARRL Handbook has a simple one, plus you can get them ready-made from DB6NT, Advanced Receiver Research, and I think W1GHZ sells some on eBay from time to time. The idea: you PTT the sequencer (footswitch or equivalent) and the sequencer unkeys the preamp, keys the amp, and then keys the rig, in that order. That way everything is where it should be when you speak/key the rig. If you have the rig put everything else in TX then the rig can be transmitting before/as the relays are switching over, which is a guaranteed way of replacing your preamp transistors and/or relays someday. That also implies no VOX with preamps. At 04:23 2006-09-02, Keith Le Boutillier wrote: >Hi > > >I wish to switch my amp and pre amps when using the Icom 910H > >Is their any way of having a switching line the changes when the rig goes >into TX >I have read the manual and checked the sockets on the back of the rig but >can't see an aux switching line or voltage change or anything that I could >use. > >Dose anyone have any advice or achieved what I wish to do > >73 Keith GU6EFB > >No virus found in this outgoing message. >Checked by AVG Free Edition. >Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.7/436 - Release Date: 01/09/2006 > >_______________________________________________ >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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WD9EWK's first time on AO-51 V/S tonight
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

Hi! I've had an AIDC 3731 downconverter, one converted by K5GNA, for just over a year. I haven't used it until tonight, when I had some free time in the evening. I took it and a bunch of stuff to my stepson's Boy Scout meeting (a church in grid DM43ap, northeast Phoenix), and hoped to work an AO-51 pass while he was in his meeting. After a storm blew through Phoenix (it kept me off an SO-50 pass around 0220 UTC), the skies cleared enough to make a try at the AO-51 pass around 0320 UTC. I set up my station, and waited for the satellite. TX was my IC-W32A HT at 5W, turning off the 70cm side of the radio, into my Arrow Antennas 2m/70cm handheld Yagi. RX was with the downconverter into a Yaesu VX-2R (I could disable TX on this radio, to protect the downconverter - plus it had an attenuator). I had a 6dB attenuator in the coax line, along with the VX-2R's attenuator function, so the S-meter wasn't moving much until I heard the satellite. Once I found the downlink, it wasn't hard to keep up with it through the pass. I let the downconverter with its dipole and corner reflector sit on the car's roof, and had a splitter from the VX-2R's speaker-mic jack to feed an earpiece and my Sony digital recorder. I heard one QSO finish up, then I made a call. Angelo N5UXT in New Orleans heard me and I worked him first, then I was called by WA4EWV. I heard a W9HT toward the end of the pass, but could not work that station. I could follow the Doppler on the RX signal well enough, and every so often the signal would take a dip and then come back up. If I held the downconverter and twisted it, I could get the signal back up, but most of the time I just set it on the roof in the general direction of AO-51 and held the Yagi in one hand and a speaker-mic into my IC-W32A with the other hand. I really wish I had a small camera or camcorder with me, to get a photo of my "station", but at least I have an audio recording of the pass with my 2 contacts. I am impressed with how well the downconverter worked, and with AO-51 in this V/S configuration. This was the first time I did anything that used a ham frequency above 23cm. I'm hoping to have some time Friday morning to work an AO-51 pass and try this again, but if that's not possible I want to work some passes this weekend before the mode change. This was fun! 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK - Phoenix, Arizona USA http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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JAMSAT Satellite AWARD in progress
by Mikio_Mouri 02 Sep '06

02 Sep '06

Dear Satellite Enthusiast! On 16th August, JAMSAT announced new award for Satellite Communication on amsat-bb. >Revised] New Satellite Award from JAMSAT >2006/08/17 22:53 JST > > The award design is now under final touch, and will be sent to printing shortly. We have already received several applications, as well as questions. We appreciate your patience. If you have any question, don't hesitate to contact madoguchi(a)jamsat.or.jp Best regards, Mikio Mouri JA3GEP President of the Japan-AMSAT (JAMSAT) September 02, 2006

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Space Barnacle turned off?
by Greg D. 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

Hi folks, With the delay in the Atlantis launch, I was wondering if PCSAT-2 has already been turned off for good, or if it has a few more days of operations left? Just curious, Greg KO6TH

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Cable Informations
by Vincenzo Mone 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

Hi to the list, due to change the antenna cables, I would like to know which is the better one at least price For the Satellites activates. Unfortunately I have to use a long descent. I want also install my old 23 elements antenna for the 1,2 GHz. So the cable should be all for the satellites activates and should be for 2 meters 70 centimetres 23 centimetres I would like also to get a Mast preamplifier for the 23 centimetres. I already have the Mast preamplifier for the 2 meters and the 70 centimetres. They are both from Dressler and both has the EVV Interface. Please let me know which one is the better one at least price and if it needs also of the interface. Please let me know prices and where to get them Any suggestion will be really appreciated. Thanks in advance. 73 de Enzo IK8OZV EasyLog 5 BetaTester EasyLog PDA BetaTester WinBollet BetaTester D.C.I. CheckPoint Regione Campania Skype: ik8ozv8520 *************************************** ***** GSM +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** SMS +39 338 9749786 ***** ***** FAX +39 328 7244294 ***** *** 2nd e-mail: vimone(a)tin.it *** ***************************************

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want
by w3vvp 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

Any body have a 1.2 ghz-50 watt amp w/preamp for sale. Have looked at a ouple sites. Thanks George,W3VVP

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ECHO
by McGrane 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

greetings I would like to report very poor reception of echo even with an 8 element yagi and an 18 Db preamp. I assume the downlink power is real flea power for battery charging or other testing. After 2 years of pleading with amsat, the downlink power is still a mystery. It is not shown on the colaradosatellite telemetry graphs (TX B) or the amsat website, after repeated requests here and elsewhere I'll assume it is being held secret for some reason. There has been a tremendous lack of technical reporting on ECHO. I realize people are very busy but time should be taken to educate the amsat community. 73, patrick N2OEQ 32323

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Last call for instock 2.4 GHz downconverters
by k5gna＠houston.rr.com 01 Sep '06

01 Sep '06

To: All, from Bob, K5GNA Please respond to: k5gna(a)aol.com -- replying to the Road Runner address on this Email will only delay a response. I have Fourteen (14) of the AIDC 2.4 GHz downconverters packages left that are packed and ready to ship, except for sealing. I have shipped a lot of these downconverters in the last few years, but I am not restocking these downconverters until we have another HEO satellite up, or if there should be enough demand (enough on a waiting list) for 2.4 GHz receive in the near future. THIS MAY BE YOUR LAST CHANCE TO GET ONE FOR A WHILE. These packages include about everything you will need to receive AO-51 for portable or even fixed operation, except the FM receiver and battery. The package will include the following: AIDC 3731 downconverter with 37 dB of gain, good for 13.8 VDC operation, retuned for 2.4 GHz, with a 2 meter IF crystal @ $105.00; 12 dBi corner reflector @ $27.00; Power inserter @ $10.00; 6 dB attenuator @ $3.00; 3' and 12' jumper for portable operation @ $5.00; F female to BNC male adapter @ $3.00; Shipping, handling and insurance in the USA @ $10.00. TOTALl = $163.00 SHIPPING OVERSEAS WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL $20.00. Just for the AMSAT BB -- I will also include the following 2 items at NO CHARGE: (1) N adapter for future use with a larger dish and feed (normally @ $ 5.00) (2) Wall wart power supply with weird connector -- simply cut it and splice it into a short F cable -- but since it is 110VAC, it is not for overseas. (normally @ $5.00). The remaining units not taken on the Amsat BB will go on Ebay in few days, but without the 2 giveaways. I also have some 2.4 GHz signal sources for $17.50, plus $8.00 shipping and handling in the USA. These are Gardiner downconverters that without modifications will produce a signal at about 2399.875 MHz (or 143.875 MHz in your RX). I also include a crystal (solders to the top of the PC board) to come out at about 2400.020 (or 144.020 MHz in your RX). I have a few of the 12 dBi corner reflectors that clip onto the AIDC downconverters available separately at $27.00 each plus shipping and handling. I could also add the signal sources to the downconverter packages, plus I could replace the 12' portable sized cable with a 50' cable for fixed use -- please inqure. Please respond to me at k5gna(a)aol.com if you want someting and I will send you complete details on paying, etc. Bob K5GNA k5gna(a)aol.com

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