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

AO-51 reload begun
by Andrew Glasbrenner 04 Jan '07

04 Jan '07

The reload has been started. The downlinks will be silent for at least one day as this work proceeds. Thanks for the patience. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Calculating link budgets with linear satellites
by Bruce Robertson 04 Jan '07

04 Jan '07

I've recently been toying with spreadsheets to estimate antenna requirements for some of the upcoming satellites. I'm not sure, however, how I should integrate the downlink power of a linear bird over its bandpass. Take for instance Delfi C3. It is said to have a 400mW downlink in a 40kHz bandpass. Does this mean that a solitary CW signal would be 400mW, two such signals (both with equal uplink power) would produce a 200mW downlink, etc.? In calculating power and pathloss using the simple addition and subtraction of dBm, what starting value is it recommended that I use in this case? 73, Bruce VE9QRP

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Re: AO-51 repeater off? (fwd)
by G0MRF＠aol.com 04 Jan '07

04 Jan '07

Hi Rich. No need to search the BB. Just have a look at the AO51 page on amsat.org _http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php_ (http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php) 73 David G0MRF In a message dated 1/3/2007 11:19:46 PM GMT Standard Time, n3wwn(a)futuretek.cx writes: I haven't seen this msg post to the list after about 5.5hrs, so trying again. 73 de Rich N3WWN (FN00fh) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 12:42:05 -0500 (EST) From: n3wwn(a)futuretek.cx To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AO-51 repeater off? Hi! I'm sorry if I missed the posts which may answer my question. I don't see the answers in the amsat-bb archives.

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AO-7 back in full sun
by Andrew Glasbrenner 04 Jan '07

04 Jan '07

It looks like AO-7 is back in a period of continuous illumination, and the 24 hr timer is working. Perusing the data at http://www.planetemily.com/ao7/ao7log.php it looks like the daily mode change between Mode A and B is occurring around 1130 to 1145Z each day. Eclipses return April 3rd, 2007, and we expect the timer to be interrupted near this date. This is a good time to enjoy our old friend in a predictable manner, especially if you are a Mode A fan. Please keep your transponded signals from FMing as a too strong signal may reset the satellite, and make some contacts! 73, Drew KO4MA

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atf 54143 phemt (was MGF1402 source or substitute)
by K & R Yoksh 04 Jan '07

04 Jan '07

--- Original Message --- >Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2007 11:43:45 EST >From: G0MRF@xxxxxxxxx >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: MGF1402 source or substitute >To: tyler881@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx >Hi Tyler. >The MGF1402 is an expensive option these days. >You may want to have a look at this 2m design which will give you 0.3 to >0.4dB noise figure. >(http://www.frenning.dk/OZ1PIF_HOMEPAGE/144_and_432MHz-LNA.htm) >Good luck >David G0MRF Hi everyone, I was reading about the ATF 54143 PHEMT device, and gathering parts for my own 432 LNA not long ago. The NF and gain specs look very attractive, but I could not find a single outlet in the USA to buy one! A phone call to the Customer Service number for Avego (formerly Agilent) got me a sample of 10 qty for absolutely FREE! I learned that Avego was not interested in selling less than 1000 pcs (the guy laughed when I tried to order 10). He told me that this item was stocked in Germany, and since I didn't want to buy the minimum qty, he'd go ahead and send me a free sample. I received my sample in about 2 days! They actually put it on an express DHL shipment.. It might have helped that I mentioned being a ham, and that my club and I were planning to build some LNAs.. If the name Agilent sounds familiar, it's because they also make BPL devices.. Maybe they wanted to appease a ham for a change? hi hi 73 and GL, Kyle Yoksh K0KN Olathe, Kansas Amsat # 35249

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AO-51 repeater off? (fwd)
by n3wwn＠futuretek.cx 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

I haven't seen this msg post to the list after about 5.5hrs, so trying again. 73 de Rich N3WWN (FN00fh) ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 12:42:05 -0500 (EST) From: n3wwn(a)futuretek.cx To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: AO-51 repeater off? Hi! I'm sorry if I missed the posts which may answer my question. I don't see the answers in the amsat-bb archives. Is AO-51's repeater off at this point? Perhaps for the software reload? According to the ControlTeam page, I expected Echo to be in V/U repeater mode, but I haven't heard a peep out of her over the last few days (just got my satellite rig cabled up again... hopefully properly this time). I can work SO-50, so I know my setup is operational. Since the PL requirement was dropped, do I *NEED* to turn off the PL or will the bird just ignore it like a terrestrial repeater with a disabled PL? Thanks for the info! 73 de Rich N3WWN (FN00fh)

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Looking for National Semiconductor LM373
by Tom Matthews 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

Trying to tap the incredible resource here - Anyone know of a source for a quantity of 10 National Semiconductor LM373 IC's? Any suggestions appreciated & thanks for the bandwidth - Tom K5SAF

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AO-51 schedule updated
by Andrew Glasbrenner 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

Hi All, The AO-51 command stations have a software reload that should begin tonight, and some additional testing to be scheduled for sometime this month. In support of this the official schedule for AO-51 for the immediate future will be our "normal" mode with the V/U FM repeater, and V/U BBS running, pending interruptions for the reload and testing. Depending on how soon we get everything running we may modify this later this month. We also have requests for the V/U FM repeater from several hamfest and cruise-ship portable stations which were factored into this schedule. I'll do my best to keep the page at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php up to date on a daily basis, please be sure to consult the text posted there for the latest information. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations (and sometimes AMSAT Lab truck driver)

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Orlando Lab closeout, Maryland Lab (real) beginning
by Robert McGwier 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

By this weekend we should have all of the contents of the Orlando laboratory currently accounted for placed in the new lab in Maryland. This new facility will really be quite the thing. The walls are going up and the clean room and stores are in route. http://n4hy.smugmug.com/gallery/2297432/ In this facility we expect to do Eagle and several joint ventures on smaller satellites and whatever we can do to help Phase 3E that would require this kind of lab. The size is 6000 sq. feet. Our clean room, which required 8 large air handlers, was/will be driven into the facility by 24 foot trucks. Happy New Year! Bob N4HY -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair "If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction. " - Dietrich Bonhoffer

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Alnico DJX10T All Mode Receiver?
by Alan P. Biddle 03 Jan '07

03 Jan '07

Anybody have any experience with this unit? R and L has them on closeout, and it looks like it might be a good unit for diagnostic work in the shack. Essentially DC-2GHz, multimode. Alan WA4SCA

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