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

Off-Topic: 10 MHz Amateur Radio balloon to cross the Atlantic
by Trevor 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Not satellites, but some of you may be interesting in assisting with capturing the telemetry data. 10 MHz Amateur Radio balloon to cross the Atlantic http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2007/ham_balloon_across_atlantic.h… 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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Wind Turbine Interference?
by Doug Kuitula 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Hi all, Sorry if this is off subject. I just found out that our city in suburban Detroit is going to install a 150 foot wind turbine about a quarter mile from my qth. I was wondering if anyone has experienced any problems working satellites, due to turbines. I'm only using a Arrow antenna and a handheld. But hope to upgrade the station in the future. I'm not questioning the need of turbines. But am just wondering if I'm going to have problems in the future. 73 and Thanks in advance. de Doug KA8QCU

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Re: Wind Turbine Interference?
by Dave Guimont 05 Nov '07

05 Nov '07

Ed, what satellite was that?? >Well I copied signals that were back scattered from a farm windmill >in Texas on 10.368 GHz SSB. Distance was about 30-miles. I believe >that the power being used was about 1-5w. I was portable on a >100-foot high hill in the Texas countryside. Direct path did not >produce a strong signal. > >Ed - KL7UW > >At 03:28 PM 11/4/2007, Dave Guimont wrote: > >> > >> >Wind Turbines are a threat to Homeland Defense. They can produce >> large Blind >> >Spots on Radars - above, infront and behind them - so yes they can cause >> >problems to RF signals. >> > >> > >> >Effects of Windfarms on Radar >> >http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2005/windfarms_radar.htm >> > >> >>Trevor, >> >>That is some pretty good stuff for higher powered xmitters...But I >>doubt there is any instrument sensitive enuff to measure the >>reflection potential from any satellite we will ever launch, and the >>"shadow" that it would cause on a LEO is in less than a >>second...HEO's may take a little longer.... >> >>This is conjecture based on my HS physics...I would appreciate >>comments from any of the many engineering experts we have on here... >> >> >> >> 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org >> Disagree: I learn.... >> >> Pulling for P3E... >> >>_______________________________________________ >>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 > >73, >Ed - KL7UW >====================================== > BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com >144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w >DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com >====================================== 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Help from those using palm sat software
by Ed Tump 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Folks, I cannot figure out how to upload new tle/txt in to my palm. I use the palm install tool but it puts the txt files on to the card and not the internal memory. Any ideas? Thanks! Ed

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Re: Wind Turbine Interference?
by Trevor 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

The BBC document is still on their website but it's moved to this URL: http://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/info/pdf/buildings_factsheet.pdf 73 Trevor M5AKA --- Trevor <m5aka(a)yahoo.co.uk> wrote: > --- Dave Guimont <dguimon1(a)san.rr.com> wrote: > > That is some pretty good stuff for higher powered xmitters...But I > > doubt there is any instrument sensitive enuff to measure the > > reflection potential from any satellite we will ever launch, and the > > "shadow" that it would cause on a LEO is in less than a > > second...HEO's may take a little longer.... > > It'll all depend on proximity of the receiving station to the turbine. > > The Wind Turbines on the Orkneys killed TV reception for the local > inhabitants, > hence the need to resite the TV transmitters. If high power TV transmitters > can't get through them will weak signals from Amateur satellites fare any > better ? > > Agreed for a LEO the affect may be shortlived but I'd say it would be more > than > just a second. > > 73 Trevor M5AKA > > > > > ___________________________________________________________ > Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good > http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html > ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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ANS-308 Formatting
by Ronald Long 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Am I the only one who sometimes receives the ANS bulletin with missing line or paragraph formatting, everything run together? It happened this week, ANS-308, and may be only when a certain volunteer sends out the bulletin? I use Eudora as my mail client. I cannot find any settings that might cure the problem. I receive tons of mail and this is the only one that has this problem. Also when I check the AMSAT web site for ANS I find a beautifully formatted page, but it is missing the bulletin number (308, e.g.). It would be helpful if that was included. ron w8gus

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Re: Surface Mount Repair
by Roy 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Hi again Guys, Success! Thanks to all the replies I got with advice on how to remove the surface mount IC. I applied heat from the blow side of my solder station and it popped off after a little bit with a little help at one corner. I had lifted all 22 leads from their pads first so I wouldn't damage a pad when it popped off. There were four small round glue spots down the middle of the bottom of the IC. Pads 1 and 22 were oversize so it was easy to spot the replacement IC with a good blob of solder on those two pads before I started soldering down the other pins. Thanks again for all the suggestions. -- Roy -- W0SL

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Longer arms for you to reach your favourite sats.
by Kevin Forbes 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Hi folks, someone I was in contact with recently gave me an url to visit. REMOTE RADIO http://www.remotehams.com/ http://www.remotehams.com/Online-Radios The site is in England, and has several radios online that you can adjust the tuning on. I went and had a look and a play. Then had an idea to try out. I tuned into a NOAA wxsat on the 137 MHz band when my sat tracker said it was over England. I then started the WxSat program that turns the telemetry into images. I had to tick a different box on the sound cards recording settings, and then it happened. For the first time, I was receiving an image of Europe from a VHF NOAA sat, via the online radio. Thanks to the folks that made this site possible, I love it. _________________________________________________________________ Advertisement: What are you waiting for? Join Lavalife free. http://a.ninemsn.com.au/b.aspx?URL=http%3A%2F%2Flavalife9%2Eninemsn%2Ecom%2…

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Surface Mount Repair
by Roy 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Hi Guys, I am trying to replace a 22 pin surface mount IC on a piece of Panasonic video quipment. I have all of the leads unsoldered but now I find that the IC is stuck to the board, maybe intentionally. It doesn't appear to be just the circuit board coating. It's more like the whole bottom surface is cemented. I would appreciate hearing from anyone, off line, who has experience in removing a stuck IC from the board. I have tried flux removerand 91% Isopropal Alcohol with no luck. I hesitate to force it or destroy the chip since there are traces running beneath it. Any ideas of a safe solvent or another way to unstick this thing? -- Roy -- W0SL

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Re: geo stationary bird
by melachri＠speakeasy.net 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

It depends on what you mean by "retirement orbit." Some satellites are left on-orbit but not used much, when their transponder complement (and the revenue it can produce) no longer justifies taking up the orbit slot. At this point, the transponders are turned off, but the satellite is left functional--it may be kept as an on-orbit spare, to be put back in service if another satellite fails. Although the transponders are off, the satellites are not--their power and attitude control systems are left on. So if this happened to our "host", the amateur payload could continue to operate. These satellites don't typically drift--they're "parked" in an orbital slot but just not actively used. If by "retirement orbit" you mean "disposal orbit" (typically about 300 miles above GEO), satellites are typically not put there until they are not worth anything to the owner. This is most often due to on-board failures or running out of expendables (e.g. fuel) that prevent the satellite from ever continuing its mission. At this point, the owners do not want to spend any time/effort/resources continuing to maintain them. As a result, their propulsion systems are vented (to mitigate future explosions) and electronics are turned off and disabled in a way that prevents even accidental turn-on. This would include the attitude control subsystem, which would keep the spacecraft pointed at the earth, as well as the electical power subsystem. A satellite in this condition could not continue to support any other payload. (Note that a GEO satellite is registered to operate from a single orbital slot, but satellites in the "retirement orbit" are drifting. They would cause interference to other registered satellites if their transponders were to remain operational during that drift. So to prevent retired-and-drifting satellites from unintentionally causing interference, operators will when possible deliberately disable a retired satellite.) Of course, such a drifting transponder would continue to be useful to the amateur community. This is something that could be a subject of negotiation between AMSAT and the host. 73, Steve Melachrinos W3HF > Does anyone know if retired birds are switched ON or OFF once they get boosted into a retirement orbit ? Could still be useful to us even from there. > > 73 > Richard Limebear G3RWL > >

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AO-7 Mode A difficulties
by Bob Stewart 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

I've made several attempts efforts to work AO-7 on Mode A, but I just don't seem to be able to manage it. I can hear CW signal, and if I whistle into the mike, but I just can't hear my voice well enough to even attempt a QSO. I'm using an 80 watt Mirage brick into an RHCP moxon pair pointed straight up. I don't have any problems getting into the FM sats with this setup. Is it because I'm only getting about 40 watts EIRP from this and that's simply not enough for AO-7 Mode A? Bob - AE6RV

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Ao-51 + Ic-PCr1500 + WI-FI Antenna ?????
by CE3SOC Raul Romero 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Greetings to all I paid receiver icom ic-pr1500 receiving up 3 GHZ I doubt will be layered with some receiving antenna that I have a wireless panel 14dbi and yagui of 8 elements dlink? Someone tested this configuration Second, I recommended software to correct the doppler receptor icom when receiving satellites Now many thanks Raul CE3SOC --------------------------------------------------------------------- "Are you still wasting your time with spam?... There is a solution!" Protected by GIANT Company's Spam Inspector The most powerful anti-spam software available. http://mail.spaminspector.com

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Re: geo stationary bird
by richard＠g3rwl.demon.co.uk 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Does anyone know if retired birds are switched ON or OFF once they get boosted into a retirement orbit ? Could still be useful to us even from there. 73 Richard Limebear G3RWL

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Sinclair Labs
by Clint Bradford 04 Nov '07

04 Nov '07

Contact Sinclair at... sysengusa(a)sinctech.com Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666 > I found at a junk an old RF preamplifier from > > Sinclair Radio Labs

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Re: Right Angle BNC adapters
by Edward Cole 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

ONLY If you live in the east, John! Up here it's Alaska Standard Time (AST). You get extra points in the next contest if you know the time difference between AST and UTC...no peeking :-) EST-UTC = -5 hours. 73 Ed - KL7UW At 02:32 PM 11/3/2007, John Marranca, Jr wrote: >Frank: > >That's what I have come to wonder! I read that some place before as well.AST > >MIL-SPEC vs. "the spring". Hmm....which is better..... > > >Thanks for reminding me of something that I ALMOST forgot about. > >Remember to change your SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES, my friends. It's Eastern >STANDARD time tonight. > >John KB2HSH > >On 11/3/07, Franklin Antonio <antonio(a)qualcomm.com> wrote: > > > > At 01:25 PM 11/3/2007, John Marranca, Jr wrote: > > >Does anyone know of a source of the MIL-SPEC right angle BNC adapters? I > > am > > >using a hamfest special, and have a feeling that it's affecting my rx on > > the > > >birds. > > > > For kicks, cut it open. I did this once with a right angle "N" > > adapter that I bought at a swapmeet, and in which I observed poor > > performance. Inside I found the center conductor was a small > > spring! The idea, I believe, was that the spring would naturally > > form a gentle circular arc from the center pin of one connector to > > the center pin of the other, maintaining nice spacing from the > > sidewals. This would be fine at DC, or maybe HF, but at UHF this was > > worthless. The spring was electrically a coil, in other words an > > inductor, which was altogether the wrong thing. Laughable. > > > > > >-- >_______________________________ > > >John Marranca, Jr >PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 >BN Systems, Inc >Orchard Park, NY >(716)972-2006 >_______________________________________________ >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 73, Ed - KL7UW ====================================== BP40IQ 50-MHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xpol-20, 185w DUBUS Magazine USA Rep dubususa(a)hotmail.com ======================================

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Eastern Standard Time
by John Marranca, Jr 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Sorry. You're right. Chalk it up to a brain-slip. No offense meant. But, still...CHANGE THOSE SMOKE DETECTOR BATTERIES! We just had a fire locally that could have ended MUCH better than it did if the detectors had had batteries. One of the "higher-ups" of the Buffalo Fire Department said that (quote) "it's sad to investigate a fire and find casualties, and THEN find smoke detectors without batteries". I know it's off topic for this board, but I just want to remind my friends for the better. 73, John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Sinclair RadioLabs . Preamp frquency range?
by nader omer 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Hello all I found at a junk an old RF preamplifier from Sinclair Radio Labs Tonawanda N.Y I would like to know anymore info and the frequency range! Power 14 V -+2 With two small tuning knobs at the front panel 10.5 x 6.5x 4cm in dimensions and two flanks with 2 holes at each side for fixing There a one transistor with 4-pins inside a cap heatsink soldiered to the board Components in two compartments made from pcb Thank you in advance Nader - st2nh __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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geo stationary bird
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Hello To play the devils advocate for a moment. With a geo (stuck) sattelite we are pretty much stuck with the same foot print forever. Unless of course there is some sort of cross linking in the future. I very fondly recall AO-40 and bringing it up on my computer and seeing where the foot print was today. Maybe it's the Europeans or perhaps the VK's, ZL's (love their accent), or maybe some JA's, (practice my Japanese). At some time, I knew I could cover the whole planet. I do of course believe this is an excellent opportunity, though there are a some limitations. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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Re: Right Angle BNC adapters
by Franklin Antonio 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

At 01:25 PM 11/3/2007, John Marranca, Jr wrote: >Does anyone know of a source of the MIL-SPEC right angle BNC adapters? I am >using a hamfest special, and have a feeling that it's affecting my rx on the >birds. For kicks, cut it open. I did this once with a right angle "N" adapter that I bought at a swapmeet, and in which I observed poor performance. Inside I found the center conductor was a small spring! The idea, I believe, was that the spring would naturally form a gentle circular arc from the center pin of one connector to the center pin of the other, maintaining nice spacing from the sidewals. This would be fine at DC, or maybe HF, but at UHF this was worthless. The spring was electrically a coil, in other words an inductor, which was altogether the wrong thing. Laughable.

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Re: Right Angle BNC adapters
by Dave Guimont 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

> > >Does anyone know of a source of the MIL-SPEC right angle BNC adapters? I am >using a hamfest special, and have a feeling that it's affecting my rx on the >birds. > Hi John, found one right on top of the junk box...wish I could find stuff that easily when I look!! I know I have it, somewhere, go out and buy one, and a few days later I come across one!! Send me your mail address, and I'll pop it in the mail... 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: Right Angle BNC adapters
by Dave Guimont 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

At 01:25 PM 11/3/2007, you wrote: >Hello my friends, and Happy Saturday: > >Does anyone know of a source of the MIL-SPEC right angle BNC adapters? I am >using a hamfest special, and have a feeling that it's affecting my rx on the >birds. > >No hurry. Just pondering while I am preparing for winter, and making >improvements before the snow flies. > >Thanks! > >John KB2HSH > Hi John, am sure I have one in my junk box.....let me take a look and I'll mail right back... 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Palm OS sat software
by Ed Tump 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Folks, If anyone has a good or bad review on Palm OS based software for sat work, I would love to hear it. Thanks! Ed KC9GWK New AmSat member

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Re: Quadrifilar Helices
by Juan Carlos Borrás 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

http://www.jcoppens.com/ant/qfh/calc.en.php Cheers, JC!

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Right Angle BNC adapters
by John Marranca, Jr 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Hello my friends, and Happy Saturday: Does anyone know of a source of the MIL-SPEC right angle BNC adapters? I am using a hamfest special, and have a feeling that it's affecting my rx on the birds. No hurry. Just pondering while I am preparing for winter, and making improvements before the snow flies. Thanks! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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PCSat over SOAM
by Gustavo Carpignano 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Hi, Strong signals from PCSAT this morning over Buenos Aires, Arg at 10:45 UTC. 10:47 NODIGI>APRS2>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): :BLN2PCSAT:Pse send an APRS EMAIL via sat to wb4apr(a)amsat.org 10:47 NODIGI>APRS3>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): :BLN3PCSAT:ISS and ANDE also on 145.825 MHz now! 10:49 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): >Digi off until fully chargd 10:50 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#301,023,070,103,026,214,00111111,0100,1 10:51 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#302,129,133,136,133,214,00111111,0101,1 10:53 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#304,158,158,063,209,214,00111111,0111,1 10:54 NODIGI>APRS1>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): :BLN1PCSAT:Please help demo emrgncy field ops from mobiles and portable 10:54 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#305,018,031,117,027,214,00111111,0100,1 10:56 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#307,133,134,056,129,214,00111111,0110,1 10:57 NODIGI/SGATE>BEACON>UI,?,F0 (1200 baud): T#308,160,161,054,210,214,00111111,0111,1 73 Gustavo, LW2DTZ --------------------------------- Los referentes más importantes en compra/venta de autos se juntaron: Demotores y Yahoo!.Ahora comprar o vender tu auto es más fácil. Visitá http://ar.autos.yahoo.com/

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Re: Simulated Emergency Test via Satellite
by Henk, PA3GUO 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Hi Bob, Fully agree ! In case of emergency, when we need to forward messages, APRS by the far the most reliable & efficient communication method: - messages take 2 only seconds up/down airtime - spelling family names in voice is error-prone - voice would need voice recording, APRS has findu.com - findu.com can be monitored worldwide (= auto forwarding) See below the message I forwarded during a 17 degrees PCSAT pass. Henk, PA3GUO ------------------------------ Onderwerp: APRS Message from PA3GUO-10 Van: ksproul(a)rci.rutgers.edu Datum: Zat, november 3, 2007 7:19 pm Aan: pa3guo(a)amsat.org SSET checking from JO21RJ -------------------------- Message received by MacAPRS IGate station WU2Z Located in NO BRUNSWICK, NJ APRS path = PA3GUO-10>APRS,PCSAT-1*,qAO,PA3GUO > I am thinking AMSAT (we) need to do more emergency > service preparations and tests with our satellites. > Not only will that test our capabilities, but we > will also need to demonstrate our emergency response > capabilities as a group to help sell the new > P4 concept to the supporters of this new Geo initiative.

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ISS EVA Scanner Frequencies
by K7XQ 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Wonder if we will hear any activity on the EVA frequencies during the solar panel repairs ?? 296.800 MHz : Air-to-ground, or Orbiter to E.V.A. suit 259.700 MHz : Air-to-ground, or suit to Orbiter 279.000 MHz : Suit-to-Orbiter, or suit-to-suit 410.2 - NFM - New UHF Space Shuttle EVA Channel 414.2 - NFM - New UHF Space-Space Communication Channel K7XQ Jeff Atwater, CA. Grid: CM97qi EME, Satellites, Meteor Scatter CW and JT-65 ( WSJT ) 50 MHz: 2 X M2 6M7 1000 watts 2 X 3-500 144 MHz: 4 X XPOL M2 2MPX28 1500 Watts Single GS35b 222 MHz: 1 X M2 5 W.L. 350 watts Single 8930 432 MHz: 4 X M2 9 W.L. ( modify in progress for XPOL ) 1200 Watts single GS35b 1296 MHz: 3.0 meter dish VE4MA circular feed 350 Watts single GS15 water-cooled 2304 MHz/2320 MHz/2424 MHz: 3.0 meter dish VE4MA circular feed 200 watts Spectrian SSPA 10 GHz: early 2008 K7XQ Webpage: http://www.elite.net/~k7xq/k7xq.html

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Quadrifilar Helices
by John Marranca, Jr 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Does anyone know of a website or of construction plans for an 70 cm Quadrifilar Helix antenna? I have heard that they work quite well for an omni-directional LEO antenna. I am looking for an improvement over my Eggbeaters, which have been excellent thus far. Thanks John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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ARISS digi inop?
by Ken Swaggart 03 Nov '07

03 Nov '07

Haven't had any success getting a packet through the ISS the past few days, even though the beacon says BBS and APRS is on. I know it's been off during the spacewalks, but it's beaconing today, but no packets are making it through. Does anyone have some clarifying information? Tnx, Ken, W7KKE

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 2, Issue 679
by Reicher, James 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Hi Jerry, Let me break this down for you a little bit. The only advantage to having an Arrow-type antenna is that you can more easily hold and point the antenna, bypassing the need for a rotor. I wouldn't recommend this method if you're going to use your 857 with out-put of more than 5 watts. The FM birds will require more than 5 watts to get thru all the QRM. If you have two rigs to work with, why not try out AO7, FO29, or VO52? You'll find them easy to get into; I've worked AO7 with my 817, on mode A, using CW and 5 watts into a Ringo Ranger. I couldn't do it on SSB though, AO7 wants a little more gain than that. My antennas now are 11 elements on both 2M and 70cm and I can always hit the birds. I turn them with an HD73 rotor. 73 de N8AU, Jim in Raymore, MO Light travels faster than sound... This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak. Date: Thu, 1 Nov 2007 12:05:22 -0600 From: "nr5a" <nr5a(a)rap.midco.net> Subject: [amsat-bb] New to this! To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Message-ID: <017301c81cb1$c631ca00$6400a8c0@PC270429458147> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original I use to work the RS birds and just loved it, now of course there is nothing like that. I swore I"d never do the FM birds cause I don't even do the FM Repeaters. I've lived near Rapid City, SD for 21 years and can count the number of times I've been on the reapeaters here on one hand. Sorry they just don't do anything for me. I've broke down and decieded I want to get on the FM birds. The radio will be mostly my FT-817 or I can go FT-857D if I get the urge. I see antennas like the Arrows where 2 beams are on the same boom, is there a real advantage to this?? My antenna will be mounted outdoors and I'm going in the direction of 2 antennas on a cross boom. I'm not that interested in parading around in a parking lot carring a antenna and looking silly. How much antenna do I really need? I have tried listening on the FT-817's rubber duck antenna with no results. I thru together a hastly built one element egg beater type. (a site to see, held together by duct tape.) The other nite I almost heard AO-51. My next step is tearing off the eggbeater and duct taping a 3 el yagi to the yardstick. I want to see the difference and maybe learn something while playing. I'll go now cause I'm probably wasiting your time thanks for reading this. Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota

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Re: Quadrifilar Helices
by Jeff Hite 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

> ------------------------------ > > Message: 5 > Date: Fri, 02 Nov 2007 10:33:09 -0700 > From: Dave Guimont <dguimon1(a)san.rr.com> > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Quadrifilar Helices > To: "R.Haighton" <ve3frh(a)cogeco.ca> > Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Message-ID: <200711021733.lA2HX9s4008456(a)ms-smtp-03.socal.rr.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"; format=flowed > > >> The Satellite Experimenters Handbook by Martin Davidoff K2UBC (1990 Pages >> 8-15 & 16) and it's successor The Radio Amateur's Satellite Handbook (1998 >> pages 10-13 to 10-15) both have details of this antenna, its use and its >> construction. >> I recommend this book to all satellite experimenters and users, it may be >> nearly 10 years old but the principles and information contained therein >> have not changed. >> >> Robin Haighton VE3FRH >> Immediate Past President AMSAT >> > > That's exactly where I started, Robin, on page 6-20 of the original edition. > But Maxwell's measurement produced a horrible > VSWR.....I saw Marty later on at a convention, > and I believe he said the same thing happened to him... > > It took me 4 iterations to get the antenna flat > with no matching device...I of course did it at > 435. But those dimensions translated very > successfully to 2M satellite, 2M repeaters, and > believe it or not to 2.4 gigs....In front of a dish, of course!!! > > I had seen other pictures of the antenna, and was > very interested prior to Marty's excellent > depiction of the construction details... > > I used a combination of 435 and 2M versions fixed > at about 45?, and rotated in AZ only and worked > very well with strong signal birds... > > Quadfilxxxxxxxxx has the dimensions for the 3, > but the 2.4 gig computation is left as an exercise for those interested. > > http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads/ > > Nice to hear from you, Robin....R U active on any of the birds?? > > > > > 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org > Disagree: I learn.... > > Pulling for P3E... > > > > I found WB6LLO's 435 version easy to reproduce with good results. -- Jeff KK7WR

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Re: New to this
by John Marranca, Jr 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

NR5A: Welcome. My Lord, our stories sound IDENTICAL. I was a Mode K/RS jockey myself. And I, too, sold my 2-meter FM gear years ago because of the junk that was going on locally. I also use an FT-817ND for...well...everything, really... ...as well as having 2 eggbeaters. And, with the gear I have, I'm having a blast. You shouldn't have any difficulty. either. I have the AO-51 and AO-27 AOS frequencies stored as a memory...but I manually tune the main VFO to chase the Doppler. Works out very well. I keep one of the VFOs on 145.825 for APRS via satellite. Finally, my HOME frequency is 144.390 for terrestrial APRS. Other than the birth of my kids, my wedding day, and the start of my career, the NEXT best day was the day my FT-817ND came. (Almost 20 years on HF doing the same-old same-old started getting boring....) Good Luck, my friend, and we'll listen for you on the birds. 73 de KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: Mobile Satellite Month
by John Marranca, Jr 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

QUOTE: >* 145.825 ANDE-1 (re-entry expected next month) *That will be sad, indeed...as I've enjoyed using it for the short amount of time I've been interested in the hamsats. John KB2HSH* * -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: New to this!
by Clint Bradford 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

> >>...mostly my FT-817 or I can go FT-857D if I get the urge... You can easily work AO-51 and SO-50 with your '817! Page 45 of the 817ND manual shows you how to program "split frequencies." Here's a quick tutorial on working AO-51 and SO-50 for you: http://homepage.mac.com/clintbradford/Menu3.html Clint Bradford, K6LCS AMSAT Area Coordinator

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My email
by Robert McGwier 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

If you attempted to send email to my AMSAT email alias in the past two weeks, it likely bounced. I recently changed providers from comcast to verizon and I was just certain I had moved all of my email accounts. I think I did, except for one, possibly the most important. Thanks to all who pointed it out. Bob -- AMSAT Director and VP Engineering. Member: ARRL, AMSAT-DL, TAPR, Packrats, NJQRP, QRP ARCI, QCWA, FRC. ARRL SDR WG Chair “An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?” Descartes

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Doppler compensation??
by Dave Guimont 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

Can someone explain this "new" thing about the difficulty in compensating for doppler? I used to do it with one hand on a knob, or with one of the many programs available. Has something changed?? 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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WRC-07 - ERO report on first week
by Trevor 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

WRC-07 - ERO report on first week http://www.southgatearc.org/news/november2007/wrc07_first_week.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ Want ideas for reducing your carbon footprint? Visit Yahoo! For Good http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/environment.html

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New to this!
by nr5a 02 Nov '07

02 Nov '07

I use to work the RS birds and just loved it, now of course there is nothing like that. I swore I"d never do the FM birds cause I don't even do the FM Repeaters. I've lived near Rapid City, SD for 21 years and can count the number of times I've been on the reapeaters here on one hand. Sorry they just don't do anything for me. I've broke down and decieded I want to get on the FM birds. The radio will be mostly my FT-817 or I can go FT-857D if I get the urge. I see antennas like the Arrows where 2 beams are on the same boom, is there a real advantage to this?? My antenna will be mounted outdoors and I'm going in the direction of 2 antennas on a cross boom. I'm not that interested in parading around in a parking lot carring a antenna and looking silly. How much antenna do I really need? I have tried listening on the FT-817's rubber duck antenna with no results. I thru together a hastly built one element egg beater type. (a site to see, held together by duct tape.) The other nite I almost heard AO-51. My next step is tearing off the eggbeater and duct taping a 3 el yagi to the yardstick. I want to see the difference and maybe learn something while playing. I'll go now cause I'm probably wasiting your time thanks for reading this. Jerry - NR5A - South Dakota

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Rohn 45G stuff needed
by Stargate 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

OK, Last call before I order new. (I hate to do that:-) I'm looking for the following..... BPL45G Rohn 45G Flat top bearing plate Rohn TB3 bearing 45G house bracket AS455G Rotor shelf It doesn't need to be Rohn. Equivalent Nello, or other makers will be considered as well. 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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I'm Here!
by Greg KJ6KO 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Hi Guys! Thought I'd join the list just in case you had any questions. I think everyone is getting tired of forwarding email to me. Anyway, I can keep you updated on the amplifier progress and keep in touch easier this way. 73 de Greg KJ6KO www.kj6ko.com

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Re: Helices
by John Marranca, Jr 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Thank you to EVERYONE that has responded to my query from this morning. I appreciate it very much. It is the sense of helping one-another that I enjoy the satellite community so much. 73 de John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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GB5OSO sputnik special event station report
by Robert Turlington 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Hi All many thanks to all stations who managed to have a QSO with the sputnik special event Satellite station GB5OSO ,well done! I am awaiting the QSL cards to come from the printers so it may be a while before they arrive. The event went very well with 300+ QSO's in 33 DXCC countries on AO7,AO27,SO51,AO51 and VO52 ,in all 170+ stations were logged many of whome were worked on more than one Satellite and special thanks to the two stations who I worked on all 5 birds namely G1OCN and ON5NY.Also many thanks to JA0CAW and JH1EKH who were able to organise a conection via EchoLink to SO50 and AO51 whilst they were over Japan.There was also some activity on HF and wiil post the results for that later on.Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Feel like a local wherever you go. http://www.backofmyhand.com

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Re: WiSP on Vista
by Mineo Wakita 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Hello Alan VE4YZ and ALL, I succeeded in setup WiSP on Windows Vista, according to Export/Import of Registry on Xp/Vista. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/wispvist.htm Thank you very much. de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Re: Doppler
by Dave Guimont 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

> >Doppler to newcomers is like asking them to drive a car with Stick >Shift, I mean the ones before we had synchronized gears. Today >driving a car, operating a computer, does not require much brain. >A lot of people replaced their brains already with Laptops but lost >the software. > >Will be interesting to see what's coming down the pike. Tnx, Walter, I drive a synchronized car, but if I had to jump into my dad's old Model T, at 85, I think I could figure out which of the 3 pedals to push!! Of course, today, I would try it in a big parking lot with no cars.... That is about how hard it is to crank a knob!! I quit!! 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: Doppler compensation??
by Dave Guimont 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

>Yes, > >Because of the low sun activity the satellites are underpowered and it >negatively (inversely) affects their transmitters (Low squint angle). The >Doppler effect is now increasingly changing randomly especially on >frequencies below 12MHz. All the modern radios are getting a hick-up and >SatPc32 is complaining the most. Best way is to turn the radio off >immediately and hide because it is Halloween. ye gods! one cranks the knob faster!!! 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Phase 4
by John Marranca, Jr 01 Nov '07

01 Nov '07

Say it isn't so. Say it's just a dream.... Just this past weekend, I was reading an OLD QST from 1974 that had mentioned the notion that AMSAT wanted a geo-synch satellite by 1975. How amazing. The thought was kicked around on a local AMSAT 2-meter net in the early 1990 (back during the Mode K days of yore). Imagine...ULTRA RELIABLE DX...24 hours per day. Those with antenna restrictions or home-owner's covenants could be QRV. And if the up/down links were UHF and above, a pair of helices could be used INSIDE, pointing through a window.... Just a thought, though. What about our European and Asian friends? Could facilities be included so that geo-synchs over their respective footprints could be linked? Or possibly the satellite being "parked" over an area that could include the US and Europe? I realize that it is all dependent on the space that the host bird has. This is truly exciting! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Call for Symposium Photos
by JoAnne Maenpaa 31 Oct '07

31 Oct '07

Hi everyone, I'd appreciate it if you could forward me any photos from the Symposium that you think would be suitable to print in the AMSAT Journal. I noticed a few nice cameras clicking away :-) Direct e-mail to me is k9jkm(a)comcast.net in case the amsat alias gives you any heartburn with big attachments. Thanks! -- 73 de JoAnne K9JKM k9jkm(a)amsat.org

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