January 2007 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

PSLV-C7 lifts off successfully
by Mike Rupprecht 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=346912 <http://www.zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=346912&sid=ENV&ssid=27> &sid=ENV&ssid=27 Sriharikota, Jan 10: The PSLV-C7, carrying four satellites, lifted off successfully from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre here. All the four satellites of the PSLV-C7 were injected into orbit at an altitude of 638.7 km, 949.8 seconds after the lift off. The entire process took 20 minutes. Based on the velocity during the first three stages, the fourth stage, an unpowered flight called `Coasting` lasted for 15 seconds, moving purely under the influence of gravity. "We have done it successfully. We have put all four satellites into the required orbit. It was a textbook mission. Our boys have done well," ISRO chairman Dr G Madhavan Nair said after the launch. The PSLV C7 carries four satellites - the 680 kg Indian remote sensing satellite Cartosat-2 and the 550 kg space capsule recovery equipment (SRE-1), Indonesia`s Lapan-Tubsat and Argentina`s six kg nanosatellite Pehuensat-1. 73, Mike DK3WN

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FibreGlass Crossbooms
by john heath 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Hi Chaps, Most of the discussion on this topic is about not having a metal cross booms distorting the antenna radiation patern. I have a further observation after having a glass fibre cross boom in place for 10 years. Its a great way to absorb wind energy which might otherwise cause damage. 10 element on 2m and 17 element crossed yagi on 70cms sway gently in 60mph winds but nothing breaks (so far) All the best for 2007 73 John g7hia

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FiberGlass Crossbooms
by Thomas Martin 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Why are fiberglass crossbooms used on satellite antenna installations?

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Sat688 or LVB tracker?
by Stargate 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Hi all, OK, unless some other option comes up, or there is an incompatibility problem that I am aware of, I have narrowed my list of rotor interfaces down to the following 2.... The LVB at.... http://www.g6lvb.com//Articles/LVBTracker/index.htm The Sat688 at.... http://www2.arrl.org/FandES/tbp/ariss-kits/ I have a Yaesu G-5500 and a FT-847 for the rotor and radio respectively. I intend to use Orbitron for my tracking and radio control software if the above interfaces are compatible. The computer is a PIII 650mhz with 1 serial and 1 USB port. I was thinking of using the serial port for radio control and the USB port for the rotor interface. I am leaning toward the LVB since the PIC can be programmed and re-programmed onboard, and it can be made into the LVB 2 for stand alone operation without the computer control, although it will be a little more expensive to construct. On the other hand the Satt688 is less expensive, and should suffice as well. How important is it to be able to re-program the pic? All comments appreciated, Thanks, RoD KD0XX A good friend will come and bail you out of jail, A TRUE friend will be sitting next to you saying..... "DAMN THAT WAS FUN"

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Re: RAFT/ANDE Telemetry Web Pages
by David Johnson 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Hi Mike, Fixed, thanks. - Dave Mike Rupprecht wrote: > Hi Dave, > > regarding the temperature value for RAFT : > > T#246,080,107,059,220,002,10001000,999 > ^^^ > > CH5 - TX Temperature 9e-6*v³ + 0.0031*V² + 0.7019*V - 33.024 > > = (0.000009 * 2 ^ 3) - (0.0031 * 2 ^ 2) + (0.7019 * 2) - 33.024 > > = -31,632528 °C > > Could you check this, please? > > 73, Mike > > -----Ursprüngliche Nachricht----- > Von: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Im > Auftrag von David Johnson > Gesendet: Dienstag, 9. Januar 2007 21:57 > An: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Betreff: [amsat-bb] RAFT/ANDE Telemetry Web Pages > > Hi, > > A very simple web page has been created for RAFT at: > > http://www.g4dpz.me.uk/ANDE/RAFThome.do > > This URL may change if it gets a lot of use or we think of more features > > to add. > > The existing ANDE telemetry web site has had a few cosmetic changes: > > http://www.g4dpz.me.uk/ANDE/home.do > > 73 > > Dave > G4DPZ > > _______________________________________________ > 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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PCSAT-1 (no-44) In Fine Form!
by VK3MJ 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Just a thought..... With PCSAT-1 returning to life in "full sun" on a regular basis, it would be fun to label each "Return to life" as a cycle #.. Solar cycle maybe? It appears to be around a 3 month period, as it's many fans would know. I easily got several UIs through it at 11:12 UTC 8th Jan. using my hand held (5Watts) and 5/8 vert mobile ant. At a range of 3000 km! Can anyone tell me an easy way to roughly calculate it's next coming? I know I shouldn't be speaking too soon..... Hi Regards Mark VK3MJ Geelong, Australia.

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SatPC32 / Rig Blaster / IC 820 H Update...
by sraas＠optonline.net 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

I need to slow down and think before I do things... The problem was with the connetcion to the IC820H. For future reference that connection requires a 3.5mm MONO plug ( I was using stereo to no avail ) The cable comming from the Rig Blaster is a stereo.. with both the leads shorted to the tip of the mono plug (Icom Side) and of course both grounded as the norm. SATpc 32 is working well and controling my radio.. I have a great pass on AO-51 from 23:59z to 0012z I will be on pending household duties. -Steve Raas N2JDQ FN20vg

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Orbitron question????
by Stargate 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Hi all, I am setting up a satellite station and have been playing with Orbitron for awhile. I like the program allot due to it's being so easy to use. One thing I have not figured out yet is... When a new satellite is launched, such as the RAFT satellite, where do I find it in the program? Under Amateur, Special-interest, Science, ect.... TLE's??? Is it designated a specific category until it goes into it's final TLE?? I hope this makes sense to somebody besides me:-) BTW.... I get my updates from Spacetrak Thanks, RoD KD0XX A good friend will come and bail you out of jail, A TRUE friend will be sitting next to you saying..... "DAMN THAT WAS FUN"

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SatPC32 / IC-820H / Rigblaster Plug & Play Help
by sraas＠optonline.net 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Just arrived via ups was my rigblaster plug & play for usb hook up to the IC 820H. I tested it as far as CW goes and i know the interface is working .. but I cannot get it to change the radio frequency for doppler. I have the address right 42H, I have the port right.. port 4.... I just cannot figure out what is goin on for one exception.. and that is I'm using the DEMO version of SatPC32. Until I get my Amsat Member info.. Im not buying it...yes im trying to save 5$ HIHI... does any one use this combo of pc to radio interface? Or is it the demo version does not provide support for rig control? I dident see anything saying such in the documentation. Thanx.. and see u on the Birds -Steve Raas N2JDQ FN20vg

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NO-60
by Hakan Harrysson 09 Jan '07

09 Jan '07

Hello! NO-60 was heard speaking 1132z today when i was out for lunch driving in the city. Very good as it was only around 5 degrees elevation on the sattelite at that time. (should be around 1500km away.) 73 Hakan SM7WSJ

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