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

Re: KiwiSAT - Not just another one!
by Andrew Glasbrenner 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

-----Original Message----- >From: broberts(a)mta.ca > >Note that the request is in USD, but the paypal site is in NZD. $131 (NZD) >is about $100 USD. > >Let's see if by Jan 1 2008 99 more of us can give themselves a $100 (US) >piece of Kiwisat for Christmas, so Terry and the rest will get the boost >they deserve! > Make it 98! I've been following this project with great interest. US Paypal users may have issues logging on to Paypal via the link on the webpage (I did), but I sent it to the address at the top of the page from a US Paypal log-on. Maybe someone from -ZL could tell us if that worked from their end. 73 and Merry Christmas, Drew KO4MA

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KiwiSAT - Not just another one!
by Terry Carrell 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

KiwiSAT; we're building it for you! Did you enjoy using the Phase-3 satellites? Remember the UoSATs? Are you using some of the current units? Over the years AMSAT-ZL has contributed some $10,000 to these programs and are now quietly getting on with completing KiwiSAT for your enjoyment. ( See http://www.kiwisat.org ) We want this to be a truly radio amateur satellite and while we could get some extra sponsorship, which we will do for the launch, the satellite itself needs to be completed using amateur radio resources and amateur radio money. So far our investment is some US$15,000 cash and perhaps US$100,000 in time and effort. We have a further US$12,000 in the bank reserved towards the cost of the solar cells (US$30,000 est.). We spend a lot of time looking for economy without engineering compromise thus this is a real cost effective satellite. We have abandoned purchasing ready made modules and opted for self design and construction. Yes, some areas we have had to use professional services, for instance our SMD handing ability is limited by our standard ham-shack tools and techniques. However we have made much of the test equipment ourselves - including the thermal vacuum chamber. To finish the satellite to flight-ready status, (less solar cells) we need to raise some $10,000, which is about what we have given to other projects. So if you agree that its pay-back time, and you like what we are doing, perhaps you might like to contribute to this venture into space. You can contribute large or small, direct or via PayPal, just visit our informative website at http://www.kiwisat.org, all help is greatly appreciated. Be assured your contribution will be thankfully received and faithfully applied. Our grateful thanks to those who have already made a commitment to supporting this project. KiwiSAT: A Microsat scheduled for launch into a LEO, will carry FM and Linear transponders with inputs on 70 cm & 23 cm - outputting on 2 metres. A unique feature will be the on-board Small Satellite Attitude Control scientific experiment. It will also carry a special environmental/global warming scientific unit. What a great time to help and what a great Yuletide gift to a worthy cause. Thanks for reading, and best wishes for really enjoyable amateur radio in 2008. Terry, ZL3QL. President AMSAT-ZL.

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ANDE as of 1212z
by John Marranca, Jr 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Good Morning and Merry Christmas all: As of the 1212z pass over FN02, ANDE is still sending good telem, and is still able to digipeat. Amazing. 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: ANDE Temperature rising !
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Hi Stefan, I based the temp rise on the graphs in http://web.usna.navy.mil/~bruninga/andeTLM1.html (BAT A and LASER A) which now show a modest upwards curve. But: you are right, using the SW of Mike shows indeed no (significant) increase. Thanks for correcting ! Henk > Hi Henk, > > I am not sure where you see the increase in temperature. Looking at telemetry values from the last 15 hours or so > (http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi) they are very steady actually. > > Below are the text data. Just copy them into a seperate text file (notepad) and open the file up in the ANDE > telemetry program from Mike Rupprecht at http://www.dk3wn.info/software.shtml > > At the same time, some of the Y axis scales are different (?). I guess I need to do some number crunching too. > > Let me know what you think. > > 73, Stefan VE4NSA > ...................................... >

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ANDE 23Dec / 12:24 UTC: still good
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

During the 10 degrees pass here ANDE was still operational. ANDE-1 digipeat: !S 12:26:04 !:Experimental Satellite Radio Communication !T 12:26:06 !PA3GUO-8>APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PE1ITR::Experimental Satellite Radio Communication ANDE-2 wake up provided a telemtry packet as well: !S 12:28:02 !:side B !T 12:28:02 !ANDE-2>BEACON,qAo,DK3WN-1:T#001,138,156,162,174,167,10101111,000 Henk http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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ANDE alive still over Europe
by Miroslav Kasal 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

A lot of packets including TLM received around 10:55 UTC (14 minutes earlier to current KEPS) December 24. 73, Mirek OK2AQK

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ANDE-1 pass ?
by Jim Holzbauer 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

cmd:ANDE-1>BEACON [12/24/07 07:08:34] <UI>: >Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy WA4AEJ>APRS,ANDE-1* [12/24/07 07:09:27] <UI>: =3031.90N/08626.94Wr N8FQ>T2UY6W,ANDE-1* [12/24/07 07:09:32] <UI>: `r_Il y/ K9JVA-6>3Y1Q6U,ANDE-1*,WIDE1-1 [12/24/07 07:09:40] <UI R>: `p1zl"`p/]"6Y}Brian in Cincinnati OH ANDE-1>BEACON [12/24/07 07:09:44] <UI>: T#005,002,009,009,004,004,01000000,000 ANDE-1>APRS3,SGATE [12/24/07 07:09:49] <UI>: :BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN W3ADO>APRS,ANDE-1* [12/24/07 07:09:57] <UI>: }ANDE>APRS:!4240.83NS05918.92W#056/999 Sat pos. de WB4APR KU4VE>CQ,ANDE-1* [12/24/07 07:10:24] <UI R>: =3536.15N/07802.04W-MERRY MERRY & HAPPY HAPPY just copied this from the tnc (times are local) abt 12:10 UTC...gpredict doesn't show ANDE or ISS in the area...

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Re: Crossed yagis
by Robert Turlington 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Hi Andrew for sure its essential to be able to switch polarization sense or at least switch between vert and horiz if you don't have a phasing harness. I myself use a polerphazer at the shack end which means bringing two lengths of coax into the shack.Regards Robert G8ATE > From: vk4tec(a)people.net.au> To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Date: Mon, 24 Dec 2007 13:39:58 +1000> Subject: [amsat-bb] Crossed yagis> > What is the best way to set up phased crossed yagis ?> > Have an electric coax switch in the middle to switch from left to right circ> polar ?> > > > ----------------------------------------------------------------------------> Andrew Rich VK4TEC> vk4tec(a)people.net.au> http://www.tech-software.net> > > _______________________________________________> 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 _________________________________________________________________ Get Hotmail on your mobile, text MSN to 63463! http://mobile.uk.msn.com/pc/mail.aspx

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RS-22 a bit poorly
by Chris Bloy 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Hi All, Decoded RS-22 this morning on the 09:00 GMT pass and it would appear that the voltages are fine, she decided to send “RS22 UBS” “RS22 long tone....” “TTXA tone.......” “RS22 UBS 139 IBS32 TTXA111 TTXA110 tone” I have recorded the pass and it would appear that there was 0 volts & amps on the solar battery. Anyone else manage to decode it? It was also moving into the eclipse north of me to visit Santa, so this could be that the batteries are starting to fail? There was 13.9v and current of 0.32mw being drawn, which is normally 0.02mw.. Anyway, have a good Christmas and would be interested in anything with one of the last RS Satellites in space! Chris, M0DQO No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.516 / Virus Database: 269.17.7/1194 - Release Date: 23/12/2007 17:27

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Re: Crossed yagis
by Henk, PA3GUO 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Hi Andrew, Last month I made a 2x6 elements DK7ZB: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/dk7zb.html PE1ITR made a prototype of a polarization switch based on: http://www.sm5bsz.com/polarity/simplesw.htm Those two together work fine. See the report on my DK7ZB web description (URL above). In the coming weeks I will built my own switch based on the same concept of SM5BSZ. After that I will put some pictures and measurements on the web, but the SM5BSZ web is a pretty good source. Succes Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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Satellite re-entry predictons
by Dave Guimont 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

The one I copied the last telemetry from burned up in the pacific on 13oct89..... The on going satellite re-entry prediction chats on here are very interesting, and may be of interest to those predictors in the following: I made the statement on the bb a while back that "I had the last qso on Oscar 9 (Uosat 1) launched by the University of Surrey. Jeff, wb3jfs, kindly reminded me that I could not have had a "qso" as it was digital only!! And I thank him for that. I recorded the last telemetry, as proven by the U of Surrey.... Sooooooooooooooooo...I dug out the paperwork I have from 18 years ago (it has faded about as much as I have!). And I present it here for anyone that may like to take a peek... http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads The four files are: OSCAR9xxxx.jpg with the x's giving a slight clue...My photography leaves something to be desired, but they are readable...I find that with my computer if I save it on my computer the legibility is improved...when opened in that fashion....... Simply click on the file...and do with it what you will.....No fancy pictures, so access is instant. I will be happy to describe the procedures I used, send me direct... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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ANDE-1 Great Lakes passes 23 DEC 07
by am25544 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Here are packets recieved from ANDE-1 from EN62. All times are UTC. 23-Dec-07 12:47:19 WA4AEJ>APRS,ANDE-1*:=3031.90N/08626.94WrDale in Niceville, FL 23-Dec-07 12:47:28 KC9XG-14>APRS,ANDE-1*:=4134.300NS08803.300W& D700, omni ant 23-Dec-07 12:47:37 N8IGJ>EN62,ANDE-1*,SGATE: 23-Dec-07 12:47:38 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#005,134,046,049,046,213,11100001,000 23-Dec-07 12:47:43 ANDE-1>APRS3,SGATE::BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN 23-Dec-07 14:18:38 N8FQ>T2UY6W,ANDE-1*:`r_Il y/ 23-Dec-07 14:19:38 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#006,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 23-Dec-07 14:20:42 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*:>Have a Merry Christmas and a great 2008, Stefan 23-Dec-07 15:49:43 N8FQ>T2UY6W,ANDE-1*:`r_Il y/ 23-Dec-07 17:23:13 AB9FT-15>T3TS9T,AB9FT-11,ANDE-1*:'sH/l [/> 23-Dec-07 17:23:26 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*::AB9FT-15 :>Having fun? 23-Dec-07 17:23:33 ANDE-1>BEACON:>Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy 23-Dec-07 17:23:38 VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*::VE2DWE :>Having fun? 23-Dec-07 17:23:48 ANDE-1>APRS1,SGATE::BLN1ANDE :ANDE-1 only wakes up 1 of evry 15s for users. Pse conserve. 23-Dec-07 17:24:16 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#008,140,136,121,138,133,10101011,000 23-Dec-07 20:27:05 WA4AEJ>APRS,ANDE-1*:=3031.90N/08626.94WrDale in Niceville, FL 23-Dec-07 20:27:22 AJ5C-3>SVQU7X,ANDE-1*:'y`gl -/]>Bob in EM36KG 23-Dec-07 20:27:24 N0AN-6>APRS,ANDE-1*:=4205.00N/09400.00WS73' Via Sat {UISS50} 23-Dec-07 20:27:30 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#006,138,144,138,134,135,10101111,000 If I did my math correctly, Ande was still at a comfortable room temp during the last pass: Temp Batt = 26.0 C Temp Sol -X = 27.9 C Temp Sol -Y = 26.0 C Temp Sol-Z = 24.7 C Temp Retro = 25.0 C 73 & Merry Chirstmas, Armando, N8IGJ

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Re: Crossed yagis
by Richard Limebear 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

VK4TEC wrote: > What is the best way to set up phased crossed yagis ? > Have an electric coax switch in the middle to switch from left to > right circ polar ? See <http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ftp/misc/ant_swit.gif> for one way to do this -- 73 Richard W L Limebear G3RWL g3rwl(a)amsat.org FOC # 1188 So many beautiful girls ... (sob) so little time

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ANDE alive still
by Mineo Wakita 24 Dec '07

24 Dec '07

Over Japan 05:15 UTC, Dec. 24 de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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ANS-357 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins (relay via amsat-bb)
by JoAnne Maenpaa 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-357 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org These bulletins can also be read on the web at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/ In this edition: * W2RS SKN * OSCAR 11 Report * AMSAT YEAR End * ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 * President's message * Holiday Message SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.01 W2RS SKN AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.01 Reminder! Participating in OSCAR SKN is fun and simple. No scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR, using a straight hand key, at any time between 0000 and 2400 UTC on January 1, 2008. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for Best Fist. Your nominee need not have the best fist you heard, just the best of those you worked. Please send your nomination to W2RS at w2rs(a)amsat.org. Those nominated will be recognized in an AMSAT News Service bulletin, and in The AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT 20 December 2007 RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you are able to record the satellite as a WAV file, please do so, but let me know what you have, before sending it! If you need to hear what the satellite sounds like, please visit my website www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ The satellite transmits on 145.826 M Hz. set receiver to NBFM. --------- During the period 15 November to 19 December 2007 the satellite has been heard from 18 to 20 November. Signals were variable in strength, mostly weak. The real time clock has lost a further 4.29 days since 08 October. When last heard it was 74.26876 days slow. I am indebted to Kevin WA6FWF, Peter ZL3TC, Armando N8IGJ and Thomas HB0SKA for their reports. Many thanks. Eclipses have continued and are expected until mid January 2008. Although the maximum duration of the current eclipses is less than those earlier this year, it is doubtful whether the satellite will be heard for any sustained period. Even in continuous sunlight during September and October the satellite was unable to support continuous operation. It is likely than the satellite will only be heard by chance, by stations listening for other satellites on 145.826 Mhz. The current status of the satel lite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although over short periods timekeeping is accurate to a few seconds per month. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. More data is required to determine exactly when the date changes. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexp lained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 23 years in orbit the battery has undergone around 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations suggest that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses, or sometimes during periods of poor solar attitude. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 days ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. However, poor solar attitude may result may result in a low 14 volt line supply, which may cause the beacon to switch OFF prematurely, and reset the watchdog timer cycle. When this occurs, the beacon is OFF for 20.7 days. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSC AR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. There is an example of the latest telemetry received from the satellite. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT140.CWV, to prevent duplication. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.03 AMSAT YEAR End AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.03 Are you looking for an end of the year tax deduction? Have you thought about renewing your AMSAT Membership? What about joining the President's Club? What about a spanking brand new enclosure for the LVB tracker board? There is even an AMSAT branded clock and weather station. The AMSAT online store is awaiting your visit. Please follow the direct link below to make your purchase. http://www.amsat-na.com/categories.php Afraid of embedded links... go to amsat.org and click on the Online Store from the left margin. 73...bruce AMSAT Store Manager [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.04 ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.04 1. ARISS - Russian School Contact Kursk State Polytechnic University in Kursk, Russia experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, December 14. The students and faculty had previously participated in other ARISS contacts from Kursk, Sochi and Mt. Elbrus with Expedition 15 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI. On this occasion, the students were scheduled to speak with flight engineerYuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP. 2. ARISS School Application Updated The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has finalized the updated ARISS school contact application forms. The updated forms have been posted on the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm 3. Kenwood Radio Software Approved The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team's request to have the Memory Control Program (MCP) software added to the Expedition 17 SSC load has been approved. Once onboard, a crew member will be tasked to restore the Kenwood radio to its proper launch configuration. 4. ARISS SuitSat-2 Status The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has obtained solar panels for the SuitSat-2 project. Testing continues on the RF and power systems. A SuitSat-2 status presentation was given at the 2007 Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) Space Symposium held in Pittsburgh in October. It has been posted on the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Presentations/AMSAT%20Symposiums /2007%20Symposium/Suitsat%202%20Rev%20E%20Symp%2007.pdf 5. ARRL Article on STS-122 Mission The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article on the STS-122 shuttle mission status. The shuttle will deliver the Columbus module with the installed Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/12/11/100/?nc=1 [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.05 President's report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.05 President's Report From the 2007 AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting 2007 Symposium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Over the past year AMSAT has developed a well-defined mission and vision for an exciting future of amateur radio in space. In fact, some of the items we have discussed here at the Symposium may perhaps become known as the weekend that changed amateur radio. In response to input from the members, AMSAT's Board of Directors and Officers have undertaken a clearly defined Mission and Vision of our current and on-going work: AMSAT's Mission Statement + AMSAT designs, builds and operates experimental satellites and promotes space education as a non-profit, volunteer organization. + AMSAT develops and fosters partnerships with government, industry, educational institutions and fellow amateur radio societies. + AMSAT leads the way on technical and scientific innovation. + AMSAT develops and fosters an environment encouraging the training and development of designers and operators. AMSAT's Vision Statement + AMSAT will deploy high earth orbit (HEO) satellites, initially with daily coverage, evolving to continuous coverage. + AMSAT will participate in human space missions. + AMSAT will support a stream of LEO satellites which are developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite groups. The New Reality Going forward, we are realizing a new reality of the future of Amateur Radio in space. There is a distinct shift away from the aegis of government/military sponsored spaceflight to a field that will be more and more driven by commercial consideration. This development signifies that space missions will become driven by a business-case model. While our new missions will provide great new services to the Amateur Radio community, we cannot afford to pay millions for them. The reality is that no one will pay for more "toys" for us to play with. To gain the funding necessary our missions must excite the funding sources. AMSAT will be required to fit into the business-case models of just about every launch opportunity we wish to pursue in the future. Your Board of Directors and Officers have identified two key areas which capture the attention and imagination of potential funding sources: + Education - The Phase IV geosynchronous satellite will enable TDRS-like support of ARISS. Ten minute school contacts will grow to hours-long contact with the Space Station. We are working on an expanded curriculum with the ARISS and NASA teams. We are planning the establishment of the AMSAT Institute which will train educators to bring space into the classroom using AMSAT's Phase IV facilities in conjunction with ARISS. + Emergency Communications - The Advanced Communications Payload is being co-developed as spaceflight and ground station gear available for rapid deployment or pre-positioning into disaster areas to provide 365/24/7 communication capability. This proposal is gaining some attention within the Homeland Security organization. AMSAT's Current Development Plans Consistent with our Vision Statement we are continuing development of Phase III satellites. Budget and staffing for the Eagle satellite will continue for 2007-2008. AMSAT-NA is contributing staff and money toward completing AMSAT-DL's Phase 3 Express Satellite in 2008. AMSAT-NA teamed with AMSAT-UK to donate 25,000 Euros to AMSAT-DL for the completion of P3E. Phase IV is not a replacement program at the expense of Phase III. The same transponder gear already in development for Eagle and P3E remains applicable to Phase IV. The new commercial launch reality mentioned previously indicates we may actually be able to be launched earlier to a high orbit if we fit into the Intelsat ride sharing model. We need to be ready for this event. Phase IV will enable AMSAT to concentrate more fully on the development of space communications. The Intelsat platform will provide hundreds of watts of power for 15 years eliminating the need for AMSAT to provide solar cells, it will perform the station keeping and earth pointing tasks, internal housekeeping will be simplified. Once we have shown funding sources what AMSAT is capable of additional launch opportunities will arise. Intelsat can drop off sub-payloads into LEO, GTO, or GEO orbits on their way to their primary mission. There are more doors open to the future if we realize and pursue the new reality. I invite you join AMSAT's exciting future. As we recognize and work within the new reality of commercial spaceflight we will provide exciting new services for amateur radio, emergency preparedness, and education. The side effect of developing "services" will be that we still gain what everyone is asking - high orbit transponders for us to use and enjoy. AMSAT is to satellites what the Wright brothers were to flight. We are "Amateur" only in the sense that we are not paid in much the same sense that Olympic athletes are "Amateurs." 73, Rick Hamly, W2GPS President, AMSAT-NA [ANS thanks Rick, W2GPS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.06 Holiday Greetings from the AMSAT News Service AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.06 The crew at the AMSAT News Service wishes you and your family the best of the holiday season and for an excellent, prosperous New Year too! Thanks for reading! Please continue to send news and comments to the ans-editor(a)amsat.org mailbox. The weekly ANS bulletins are also posted on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/ so you can read them there if you are away from your e-mail. Best wishes and Season's Greetings from all of us! Gould WA4SXM Vice-President, User Services Lee KU4OS, Editor Dee NB2F, Editor JoAnne K9JKM, Editor [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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Re: Tracking Santa ?
by Keith N4ZQ 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Thanks David. Looks like the jolly old fellow has two landing opportunities on Christmas eve/day here in EL87, west central Florida. 01:02 and 02:28 UTC 25 December 2007. Hope he has that new D Star radio in his sack of goodies for me... ;-)) Happy Holidays.. Keith N4ZQ -- David Bate - VA3DBJ <va3dbj(a)rogers.com> wrote: Keith, Give this a try.. Just came across the TLE's for Santa. Santa_Claus 1 00001U 00001A 07358.83333333 .00000038 00000-0 00000-0 0 0007 2 00001 089.9500 233.3808 0012602 180.0000 270.0000 15.00000000020072 Keith N4ZQ wrote: > The grand kids would like to track Santa Christmas eve, just to make sure he is on his way. Anyone got any Keps for him and his team of reindeer? _____________________________________________________________ Click for free information on attaining an equity line of credit. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4tzIvQIMfAFaOaUB0XsGak…

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Ande still alive at 21:53Z
by Mark Vandewettering 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Just recorded two packets as it went overhead from my QTH in CM87 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#002,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 ANDE-1>APRS2,SGATE::BLN2ANDE :ANDE stays awake for 30 secs after last pkt heard. Just using my Kenwood TH-D7A and an arrow antenna. Probably won't get another chance... Mark

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Tracking Santa ?
by Keith N4ZQ 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

The grand kids would like to track Santa Christmas eve, just to make sure he is on his way. Anyone got any Keps for him and his team of reindeer? Merry Christmas.. Keith N4ZQ _____________________________________________________________ Free comparison of top car rental companies. Click Here! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4uHs754D7Oow5r9pOqxzKJ…

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ANDE Still alive
by Paul Lenharr II 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Decoded several stations on my TH-D7 and Arrow II yagi on the 1725 pass over the east coast. KC2PCR and KB1GVR She is still going strong! 73, Paul KB3NDS -- Paul D. Lenharr II (KB3NDS) VUCC #1522 - 50mhz Six Club Member #2350 Skywarn Spotter # CS-19 "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever!" Charles County Tactical Response Team Tactical Paramedic, Firefighter, Haz-Mat Specialist Department of Homeland Security Instructor (301) 399-9504

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Another great pass with ANDE
by Paul Lenharr II 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Hooked up the TH-D7 and arrow II to the laptop running Hyperterminal. Here are the results ANDE-1>BEACON:T#008,139,138,138,138,138,10101111,000 KD8ATF-2>APRS,ANDE-1*:GOOD BYE ANDE AND HAVE A MARRY CHRISMAS FROM WV KD8ATF-2>APRS,ANDE-1*:GOOD BYE ANDE AND HAVE A MARRY CHRISMAS FROM WV ANDE-1>BEACON:T#009,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 ANDE-1>BEACON:T#007,137,047,050,047,214,11100001,000 ANDE-1>BEACON:>Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy K8YSE-4>APRS,ANDE-1*:merry christmas from en91 K8YSE-4>APRS,ANDE-1*:hello ve4nsa merry christmas VE4NSA>CQ,ANDE-1*:=4958.81N/09701.36W->73' Via Satellite, EN1 51} -- Paul D. Lenharr II (KB3NDS) VUCC #1522 - 50mhz Six Club Member #2350 Skywarn Spotter # CS-19 "Pain is temporary, Pride is forever!" Charles County Tactical Response Team Tactical Paramedic, Firefighter, Haz-Mat Specialist Department of Homeland Security Instructor (301) 399-9504

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Orbital Classroom -Where is it?????????
by Stefan Wagener 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Hi folks, Having read through many, many emails about Eagle, GEO's and other stuff I would like to introduce an idea that has captured me for a few years (!) now and has never come up. We all agree (I assume) that amateur radio and satellites is a great combination and fun. I assume most of us love it and those that don't at least make a living from it otherwise they wouldn't do it. In addition, the big majority of us have some grey hairs, but we are still trying to learn and challenge our brains (scary thought). Having said that, when I came back from the AMSAT annual meeting (symposium) this year I felt we missed a great opportunity and to be more specific we have absolute nothing in place to teach and educate our members and the community. Yes, we go to hamfests and events and have a pretty PowerPoint or in the "parking lot" demo, but where are the courses, the classes that help us better understand for example the orbital mechanics of a satellites, the satellite communication principles for VHF and UHF, the design of L and S band antennas? All the stuff that goes beyond our basic license and would keep us learning???? I look at the ARRL and see many exciting courses and AMSAT has nothing in place. Some of the material has been written up and I applaud Gould Smith and others that took the time to write these documents. The problem is that they are books! No interaction, no feedback, etc. I believe we can do so much more. Why don't we have pre-conference courses at AMSAT meetings that allow our participants to learn? Why don't we offer certificates for continuing education based on accomplishments in learning and become much more educated? Where is the course on emergency preparedness and satellites (GEOs anyone). How do I interpret two line Keppler data and what will happen if I modify some of those numbers (ANDE re-entry anyone)? How about a basic course in SRD or building small beautiful satellites and lessons learned (Bob Bruninga's ideas). All this would add value, probably generate some resources for AMSAT (course fees) and make us proud of learning and sharing knowledge and not just opinions. For example, I would have no problem adding $ 30 -50 to my registration fee for the AMSAT symposium and having a full day workshop. Everyone else is doing it and all the conferences I go to. No, I am not talking about amateur satellite 101 for newcomers (that still is important), I am talking about "meat" for those that are part of the hobby already and want to move to the next level of knowledge. We have thousands of members and our pool of potential instructors is big. I would highly encourage the board to seriously look at this. I know that Rick Hambly is fully committed to make the education a bigger part of AMSAT and we need to support him. I for one have no problem in teaching and volunteering for a course at the next AMSAT meeting but it would be very nice if you share your thoughts about this. Maybe it is just me and everyone else is fine but maybe the next "Orbital Classroom" is finally that, a classroom and not just a two page paper in the journal! Have a great Christmas and Holiday Season and many contacts in 2008.

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[ans] ANS-357 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-357 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * W2RS SKN * OSCAR 11 Report * AMSAT YEAR End * ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 * President's message * Holiday Message SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.01 W2RS SKN AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.01 Reminder! Participating in OSCAR SKN is fun and simple. No scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR, using a straight hand key, at any time between 0000 and 2400 UTC on January 1, 2008. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for Best Fist. Your nominee need not have the best fist you heard, just the best of those you worked. Please send your nomination to W2RS at w2rs(a)amsat.org. Those nominated will be recognized in an AMSAT News Service bulletin, and in The AMSAT Journal. [ANS thanks Ray, W2RS, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.02 OSCAR-11 REPORT 20 December 2007 RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you are able to record the satellite as a WAV file, please do so, but let me know what you have, before sending it! If you need to hear what the satellite sounds like, please visit my website www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ The satellite transmits on 145.826 M Hz. set receiver to NBFM. --------- During the period 15 November to 19 December 2007 the satellite has been heard from 18 to 20 November. Signals were variable in strength, mostly weak. The real time clock has lost a further 4.29 days since 08 October. When last heard it was 74.26876 days slow. I am indebted to Kevin WA6FWF, Peter ZL3TC, Armando N8IGJ and Thomas HB0SKA for their reports. Many thanks. Eclipses have continued and are expected until mid January 2008. Although the maximum duration of the current eclipses is less than those earlier this year, it is doubtful whether the satellite will be heard for any sustained period. Even in continuous sunlight during September and October the satellite was unable to support continuous operation. It is likely than the satellite will only be heard by chance, by stations listening for other satellites on 145.826 Mhz. The current status of the satel lite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although over short periods timekeeping is accurate to a few seconds per month. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. More data is required to determine exactly when the date changes. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexp lained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 23 years in orbit the battery has undergone around 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations suggest that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses, or sometimes during periods of poor solar attitude. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 days ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. However, poor solar attitude may result may result in a low 14 volt line supply, which may cause the beacon to switch OFF prematurely, and reset the watchdog timer cycle. When this occurs, the beacon is OFF for 20.7 days. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSC AR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. There is an example of the latest telemetry received from the satellite. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT140.CWV, to prevent duplication. [ANS thanks Clive, G3CWV for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.03 AMSAT YEAR End AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.03 Are you looking for an end of the year tax deduction? Have you thought about renewing your AMSAT Membership? What about joining the President's Club? What about a spanking brand new enclosure for the LVB tracker board? There is even an AMSAT branded clock and weather station. The AMSAT online store is awaiting your visit. Please follow the direct link below to make your purchase. http://www.amsat-na.com/categories.php Afraid of embedded links... go to amsat.org and click on the Online Store from the left margin. 73...bruce AMSAT Store Manager [ANS thanks Bruce, KK5DO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.04 ARISS Status - 18 December 2007 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.04 1. ARISS - Russian School Contact Kursk State Polytechnic University in Kursk, Russia experienced an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Friday, December 14. The students and faculty had previously participated in other ARISS contacts from Kursk, Sochi and Mt. Elbrus with Expedition 15 commander Fyodor Yurchikhin, RN3FI. On this occasion, the students were scheduled to speak with flight engineerYuri Malenchenko, RK3DUP. 2. ARISS School Application Updated The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has finalized the updated ARISS school contact application forms. The updated forms have been posted on the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/oindex.htm 3. Kenwood Radio Software Approved The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team’s request to have the Memory Control Program (MCP) software added to the Expedition 17 SSC load has been approved. Once onboard, a crew member will be tasked to restore the Kenwood radio to its proper launch configuration. 4. ARISS SuitSat-2 Status The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) team has obtained solar panels for the SuitSat-2 project. Testing continues on the RF and power systems. A SuitSat-2 status presentation was given at the 2007 Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) Space Symposium held in Pittsburgh in October. It has been posted on the AMSAT Web site. See: http://www.amsat.org/amsat/ariss/Presentations/AMSAT%20Symposiums /2007%20Symposium/Suitsat%202%20Rev%20E%20Symp%2007.pdf 5. ARRL Article on STS-122 Mission The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) ran an article on the STS-122 shuttle mission status. The shuttle will deliver the Columbus module with the installed Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) antennas. See: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/12/11/100/?nc=1 [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.05 President's report AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.05 President's Report From the 2007 AMSAT-NA Annual Meeting 2007 Symposium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Over the past year AMSAT has developed a well-defined mission and vision for an exciting future of amateur radio in space. In fact, some of the items we have discussed here at the Symposium may perhaps become known as the weekend that changed amateur radio. In response to input from the members, AMSAT's Board of Directors and Officers have undertaken a clearly defined Mission and Vision of our current and on-going work: AMSAT's Mission Statement + AMSAT designs, builds and operates experimental satellites and promotes space education as a non-profit, volunteer organization. + AMSAT develops and fosters partnerships with government, industry, educational institutions and fellow amateur radio societies. + AMSAT leads the way on technical and scientific innovation. + AMSAT develops and fosters an environment encouraging the training and development of designers and operators. AMSAT's Vision Statement + AMSAT will deploy high earth orbit (HEO) satellites, initially with daily coverage, evolving to continuous coverage. + AMSAT will participate in human space missions. + AMSAT will support a stream of LEO satellites which are developed in cooperation with the educational community and other amateur satellite groups. The New Reality Going forward, we are realizing a new reality of the future of Amateur Radio in space. There is a distinct shift away from the aegis of government/military sponsored spaceflight to a field that will be more and more driven by commercial consideration. This development signifies that space missions will become driven by a business-case model. While our new missions will provide great new services to the Amateur Radio community, we cannot afford to pay millions for them. The reality is that no one will pay for more "toys" for us to play with. To gain the funding necessary our missions must excite the funding sources. AMSAT will be required to fit into the business-case models of just about every launch opportunity we wish to pursue in the future. Your Board of Directors and Officers have identified two key areas which capture the attention and imagination of potential funding sources: + Education - The Phase IV geosynchronous satellite will enable TDRS-like support of ARISS. Ten minute school contacts will grow to hours-long contact with the Space Station. We are working on an expanded curriculum with the ARISS and NASA teams. We are planning the establishment of the AMSAT Institute which will train educators to bring space into the classroom using AMSAT's Phase IV facilities in conjunction with ARISS. + Emergency Communications - The Advanced Communications Payload is being co-developed as spaceflight and ground station gear available for rapid deployment or pre-positioning into disaster areas to provide 365/24/7 communication capability. This proposal is gaining some attention within the Homeland Security organization. AMSAT's Current Development Plans Consistent with our Vision Statement we are continuing development of Phase III satellites. Budget and staffing for the Eagle satellite will continue for 2007-2008. AMSAT-NA is contributing staff and money toward completing AMSAT-DL's Phase 3 Express Satellite in 2008. AMSAT-NA teamed with AMSAT-UK to donate 25,000 Euros to AMSAT-DL for the completion of P3E. Phase IV is not a replacement program at the expense of Phase III. The same transponder gear already in development for Eagle and P3E remains applicable to Phase IV. The new commercial launch reality mentioned previously indicates we may actually be able to be launched earlier to a high orbit if we fit into the Intelsat ride sharing model. We need to be ready for this event. Phase IV will enable AMSAT to concentrate more fully on the development of space communications. The Intelsat platform will provide hundreds of watts of power for 15 years eliminating the need for AMSAT to provide solar cells, it will perform the station keeping and earth pointing tasks, internal housekeeping will be simplified. Once we have shown funding sources what AMSAT is capable of additional launch opportunities will arise. Intelsat can drop off sub-payloads into LEO, GTO, or GEO orbits on their way to their primary mission. There are more doors open to the future if we realize and pursue the new reality. I invite you join AMSAT's exciting future. As we recognize and work within the new reality of commercial spaceflight we will provide exciting new services for amateur radio, emergency preparedness, and education. The side effect of developing "services" will be that we still gain what everyone is asking - high orbit transponders for us to use and enjoy. AMSAT is to satellites what the Wright brothers were to flight. We are "Amateur" only in the sense that we are not paid in much the same sense that Olympic athletes are "Amateurs." 73, Rick Hamly, W2GPS President, AMSAT-NA [ANS thanks Rick, W2GPS for the above information] SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-357.06 Holiday Greetings from the AMSAT News Service AMSAT News Service Bulletin 357.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. December 23, 2007 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-357.06 The crew at the AMSAT News Service wishes you and your family the best of the holiday season and for an excellent, prosperous New Year too! Thanks for reading! Please continue to send news and comments to the ans-editor(a)amsat.org mailbox. The weekly ANS bulletins are also posted on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/news/ so you can read them there if you are away from your e-mail. Best wishes and Season's Greetings from all of us! Gould WA4SXM Vice-President, User Services Lee KU4OS, Editor Dee NB2F, Editor JoAnne K9JKM, Editor [ANS thanks everyone for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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ANDE De-Orbit AWARD (Reminder)
by Henk, PA3GUO 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

http://www.ande-deorbit.com !! R E M I N D E R !! ================================================= ANDE (NO-61) will de-orbit somewhere in the next days. We do not know exactly, but that's the challenge and the fun ! For these last weeks a special event is launched, and everyone is invited to participate ! A special ANDE de-Orbit AWARD can be obtained by everyone that makes QSOs via ANDE or receives telemetry during its final 10 days in space. On the AWARD your callsign and achievements will be mentioned: ANDE APRS QSOs 1 point for each 2 way APRS QSO over ANDE in its last 10 days of life. Example: 00:01:31:24 : KB1GVR]APU25N,ANDE-1*,qAO,K8YSE-6::KC2PCR :GA Doug 00:01:31:42 : KC2PCR]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,KB2CEV::KB1GVR :G'Afternoon Mark ;) ANDE Telemetry Reception 10 points for telemetry packets on the last day 9 points for telemetry packets on the last day -1 ... 1 point for telemetry packets on the last day -9 In total 55 Telemetry points can be achieved, all to be scored in the last 10 days. Bob, WB4APR, will set the official date/time of de-orbit. The 10 days before that date then count for the calculation of your achievements.... ... but you do not know before that when those days will be :-) To obtain the award participates should, within 2 weeks after ANDE de-orbits, email his/her own score + proof (the packets). Have fun - and keep ANDE busy in its final exciting day(s) in space ! Bob, WB4APR Mike, DK3WN Henk, PA3GUO

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OSCAR-11 Report ... Revision
by Clive Wallis 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Hi, Ooops, I missed an important bit of news from my recent report! Many thanks to Armando N8IGJ for bringing it to to my attention. My apologies for the omission. Here is the corrected report - --------------------- OSCAR-11 REPORT 20 December 2007 RECEPTION REPORTS REQUESTED! Please send reception reports to xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv) or post to amsat-bb. If you are able to record the satellite as a WAV file, please do so, but let me know what you have, before sending it! If you need to hear what the satellite sounds like, please visit my website www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ The satellite transmits on 145.826 MHz. set receiver to NBFM. --------- During the period 15 November to 19 December 2007 the satellite has been heard from 18 to 20 November. Signals were variable in strength, mostly weak. The real time clock has lost a further 4.29 days since 08 October. When last heard it was 74.26876 days slow. I am indebted to Kevin WA6FWF, Peter ZL3TC, Armando N8IGJ and Thomas HB0SKA for their reports. Many thanks. Eclipses have continued and are expected until mid January 2008. Although the maximum duration of the current eclipses is less than those earlier this year, it is doubtful whether the satellite will be heard for any sustained period. Even in continuous sunlight during September and October the satellite was unable to support continuous operation. It is likely than the satellite will only be heard by chance, by stations listening for other satellites on 145.826 Mhz. The current status of the satellite, is that all the analogue telemetry channels, 0 to 59 are zero, ie they have failed. The status channels 60 to 67 are still working. The real time clock is showing a large accumulated error, although over short periods timekeeping is accurate to a few seconds per month. The day of the month has a bit stuck at 'one' so the day of the month may show an error of +40 days for some dates. The time display has switched into 12 hour mode. Unfortunately, there is no AM/PM indicator, since the time display format was designed for 24 hour mode. More data is required to determine exactly when the date changes. The spacecraft computer and active attitude control system have switched OFF, ie. the satellite' attitude is controlled only by the passive gravity boom gradient, and the satellite is free to spin at any speed. When telemetry was last received it showed that one of the solar arrays had failed, and there was a large unexplained current drain on the main 14 volt bus. After 23 years in orbit the battery has undergone around 100,000 partial charge/discharge cycles, and observations suggest that it cannot power the satellite during eclipses, or sometimes during periods of poor solar attitude. The watchdog timer now operates on a 20 day cycle. The ON/OFF times have tended to be very consistent. The average of many observations show this to be 20.7 days, ie. 10.3 days ON followed by 10.4 days OFF. However, poor solar attitude may result may result in a low 14 volt line supply, which may cause the beacon to switch OFF prematurely, and reset the watchdog timer cycle. When this occurs, the beacon is OFF for 20.7 days. The Beacon frequencies are - VHF 145.826 MHz. AFSK FM ASCII Telemetry UHF 435.025 MHz. OFF S-band 2401.5 MHz. OFF Listeners to OSCAR-11 may be interested in visiting my website. If you need to know what OSCAR-11 should sound like, there is a short audio clip for you to hear. There is an example of the latest telemetry received from the satellite. The website contains an archive of news & telemetry data. It also contains details about using a soundcard or hardware demodulators for data capture. There is software for capturing data, and decoding ASCII telemetry. The URL is www.users.zetnet.co.uk/clivew/ If you place this bulletin on a terrestrial packet network, please use the bulletin identifier $BID:U2RPT140.CWV, to prevent duplication. 73 Clive G3CWV xxxxx(a)amsat.org (please replace xxxxx by g3cwv)

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one laptop per your child hi
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

folks I am done whinin about not getting it but want to say my last words about it, and state the facts, First they promised us delivery by the 24th if we orderd on the 12th, which I did. Second, some got theres when they orderd later say on the 15th.(first come first served) Third they all knew, being xmas time, that we would buy one for our child and then get another bought for someone else. (THE TIMING) SAY not as many would be sold if it was at another time of the year. They choose this time. Fouth It looks like they allready had there little cards all set to go knowing this was the plan, and the 30 days to cancel your order, is up.Remember I orderd the 12th of November. The first day! And I really dont care how much they are on ebay, who buys anything from them anyway. not me And I'm certanly not in it to make money. So now I either have to go out and buy my child another expensive gift here at the last moment, as the other boys are getting 1 expensive gift, (then he will get two) or just hand him this printer card and call it even and he can wait till January or Febuary for his present. This is called being slaped in the face for being nice and I hate it. US/ KC8GKF done whinning/po------d good idea yes good planing no

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ANDE Dec 23, 0830 pass over Europe: good
by Henk, PA3GUO 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

ANDE still going strong (very strong) during a 33 degrees pass. Signals picked up <5 degrees upto going down <4 degrees. I was able to wake up Side B, and SP7THR picked up the telemetry: 1223083133: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-2*,qAo,SP7THR::ALL :Command Station The Netherlands 1223083125: ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,SP7THR:T#001,144,098,095,093,104,10000001,000 1223083050: ANDE-2]APRS1,SGATE,qAO,SP7THR-3::BLN1ANDE :ANDE-1 only wakes up 1 of evry 15s for users. Pse 1223083047: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-2*,qAO,PE1ITR: 1223083039: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-2*,qAO,PE1ITR::ANDE SIDE B Also ANDE-1 (Side A) telemetry still present: 1223083048: ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#006,136,178,148,001,142,00100111,000 1223082959: ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#005,002,010,010,004,003,01000000,000 1223082818: ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#003,015,180,148,001,141,00100110,000 Systems show Temperatures are still stable. ANDE height is now ~172..178 km Then quite a bit of QSOs, these are mine, others also made many QSOs ! 1223082942: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::OE5RPP : QSL de Henk 1223082941: OE5RPP]APU25N,ANDE-1*,WIDE7-7,qAO,PA3GUO:]230756zvy73 from Attergau, Austria via SAT de Peter 1223082928: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::G7THL : QSL de Henk !S 08:28:11 !G7THL>APU25N,ANDE-1*::PE1ITR-3 :QSL? 73s Dave G7THL{38 (does not show up at findu!) 1223082901: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::F8NHA : QSL de Henk 1223082851: F8NHA]T4QQP0,ANDE-1*,TRACE,qAo,EI7IG:`xKl -/]F8NHA(a)REF-UNION.ORG 1223082849: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::F4BVC : QSL de Henk 1223082842: F4BVC-7]TY1YQ5,ANDE-1*,WIDE,qAO,PA3GUO:`waGm!U]/]"4$}f8kgk.dyndns.org 1223082934: DL8DR]APRSAT,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5328.17N/00949.92EyANDE deorbit, pse QSL {UISS51} 1223082856: PE1ITR-3]APRS,ANDE-1*,ARISS,qAo,EI7IG::F4BVC-7 :59 here de Rob pe1itr(a)amsat.org 1223082834: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::G0SFJ : QSL de Henk 1223082800: G0SFJ]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,G7THL-1:=5229.00N\00055.00WSparty people, all around me, feelin' hot hot hot {UISS51} 1223082748: G0SFJ]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PE1ITR:me mind on fire, me soul on fire, feelin' hot hot hot (G0SFJ is really enjoying and feels very attached to our beloved ANDE - HI) 1223082822: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::PE1ITR : QSL de Henk 1223082720: PE1ITR-3]APRS,ANDE-1*,ARISS,qAo,EI7IG::PA3GUO :QSL de Rob 1223082639: PE1ITR-3]APRS,ANDE-1*,ARISS,qAo,EI7IG::PA3GUO-3 :Hi Henk 59 here 1223082601: PE1ITR-3]APRS,ANDE-1*,ARISS,qAO,PE1ITR:=5126.73N/00524.04E- Rob www.pe1itr.com 1223083026: DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PE1ITR::Heard :F4BVC-7,PA3GUO-8,DL8DR,OE5RPP,DG2US,PE1ITR-3{UISS51} 1223083055: OE1VKW]BEACON,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:merry xmas via ande de vik

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Ande alive at 0828 utc
by andy thomas 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Succesfully digipeated through Ande-1 at 08:28:43, heard PE1ITR digipeating too. No tlm. andy G0SFJ __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com

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Ande still alive 20071223 0740z
by Ian Ashley 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Hi All, ANDE is running ahead of the Keplerian times. Found I had to take the elevation out of auto-track and manually point higher to obtain good signals. Here is the log. Two other stations, Jim ZL1TYF and ZL3GA were also sending beacons Can't be much longer before re-entry? Regards to ALL for Christmas. Ian ZL1AOX [07:38:28] Ping...# 32 [07:38:30] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 32 [07:38:33] Ping...# 33 [07:38:34] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 33 [07:38:36] Ping...# 34 [07:38:38] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 34 [07:38:39] Ping...# 35 [07:38:42] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 35 [07:38:42] ZL1TYF>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI R>:Hi from Wellington at RE78jt [07:38:50] Ping...# 36 [07:38:51] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 36 [07:38:58] Ping...# 37 [07:39:00] ANDE-1>BEACON <UI>:T#003,142,188,201,199,204,10101111,000 [07:39:11] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 37 [07:39:11] ZL1TYF>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI R>:Hi from Wellington at RE78jt [07:39:16] Ping...# 38 [07:39:18] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 38 [07:39:29] ANDE-1>BEACON <UI>:>Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy [07:39:32] Ping...# 39 [07:39:33] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 39 [07:39:50] ANDE-1>BEACON <UI>:T#004,002,010,009,004,003,01000000,000 [07:39:59] ZL3GA-1>APND12,ANDE-1*,WIDE2-2 <UI R>:=4322.91SN17238.49E#DIGI_NED: Kaiapoi [07:40:01] ZL3GA-1>APND12,ANDE-1*,WIDE2-2 <UI R>:=4322.91SN17238.49E#DIGI_NED: Kaiapoi [07:40:04] Ping...# 40 [07:40:06] ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 40 [07:40:16] ZL1TYF>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI R>:Hi from Wellington at RE78jt

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ANDE: how much time is left ?
by Henk, PA3GUO 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

Today ANDE is at about 182 km. Looking at the plot, at the most one more day is left: http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/ande_predict_pa3guo_22dec200… But it can be less. Henk http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

4 7

ANDE on 23 Dec
by Viktor Kudielka 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

To all, ANDE still transmitting. At 07:00:04 one packet could be decoded - but no telemetry. Vy 73, Viktor OE1VKW

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Pre-amps
by Andrew Rich 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

I got a couple of cheap and nasty BFR91 pre-amp boards from out local electronics store. I built one and the gain was equal or worse. It had two sets of components for VHF and UHF. So I took a gamble and put in the VHF parts instead. Bingo S1 to S9 improvement. Ok, so lets cascade them. Sure enough the front end of my radio on 144 MHz overloaded with other signals. It has bought up GO32 from S1 to S9 GENSAT is S4 from S nothing. Now this is just before the radio. I am now keen to throw it in a box and up at the antenna. Having fun, also building a Power Break out box with meters and switches. Cheers ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

3 2

My vote [re: Phase 4 versus Eagle]
by John Mock KD6PAG 23 Dec '07

23 Dec '07

I knew the Phase 4 issue was going to produce LOTS of AMSAT-BB traffic and i didn't want to take the time to read it at the time. But i did want to make clear my views on the subject. So i sent a modest check to AMSAT-NA specifically for future satellites that would serve amateurs worldwide. I encourage those who feel strongly on one side or the other of this issue to vote accordingly. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) P.S. I also took my first ACS training recently as well.

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O/T U.S. Hams - Stop Whining about not getting your OLPC for Xmas...
by Alan 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

...or Santa will leave you a lump of coal. And yes to the one poster... you can cancel and get a refund http://www.laptopgiving.org/en/terms-and-conditions.php see #7 Or you can go to e-Bay and buy one (1) for a "Buy It Now" for as much as $650U.S. These babies are are as hot as the WII and Guitar Hero. <http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Home> http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Home summarizing.... .... Oh Canada... We at OLPC are very sorry about the Canadian shipment situation: we underestimated the time it would take us to fully work out the import duties and taxes and we were not clear in our communication to you. We apologize for everyone with a child who will not receive a laptop this year. You can visit the laptopgiving.org website to download a gift <http://laptopgiving.org/en/gift-cards.php> card that lets your child know that an XO laptop is on its way; it is obviously not the same as a laptop, but we hope it helps in some small way. We are working on the logistics of getting XOs to Canada: everyone should have their XO in the January/February time frame. The team at OLPC wants to thank everyone who has thus far participated in Give One Get One. Thanks to the generosity of Canadians, more than 4000 children in the least-developed countries will be receiving laptops in early 2008. --Walter <http://wiki.laptop.org/go/User:Walter> 20:39, 20 December 2007 (EST) ... The free one year t-mobile account for U.S users is equivalent to the $399 GOGI offer. You get your XO laptop for free! And those 4000 laptop donations from Canada ... we have a couple of t-mobile hot spots in Canada at some of our international airports. Basically, the t-mobile offer means nothing to us. One the bright side, Canadian's are buying the XO for less than $399US. And finally: It's an education project, not a laptop project. -Nicholas <http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Nicholas_Negroponte> Negroponte Have a great holiday everyone. 73, Alan VE4YZ EN19 AMSAT LM 2352 <blocked::http://www.mts.net/~ve4wsc/> http://www.mts.net/~ve4wsc/ AMSAT A-485

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Re: The Whole GEO Package - EMCOMM
by k0vty＠juno.com 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

The notion that Maybe ARRL should be the driver(s) of GEO's for emergency satellite radio flew past a moment ago. At least it would appear the issue is larger than just AMSAT-NA Joe K0VTY ================== On Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:09:41 -0500 "Roger Kolakowski" <rogerkola(a)aol.com> writes: > I actually equate the preparation and package to being a combination > of the > previous efforts of Civil Defense and MARS (not the planet.) > > During the Cold War the government funded the placement of 2 meter > Gonset > Communicators in many CD Shelters and city/town communication > facilities > around the country. Nets were held. Groups were formed. > > Currently I do know that, at least in Massachusetts, there is still > funding > available to the towns for a "Civil Defense" director in the local > governments. > > So...as part of the EMCOMM..."Civil Defense" services are again > strengthened > through a local "Communications Officer", the old lessons of traffic > passing > are updated and practiced ala "MARS" TYPE traffic nets (though not > under > Military oversight), new "standards" are set, satellite "nets" are > formed > for readiness training allowing the development of "systems" and as > usual > "emergency traffic" gets priority. > > This may preclude 100% access by the casual operator during "net" > evenings, > but assuming timezone differences and a sufficiently wide passband, > these > "CD" nets might be held one day/night per week. > > In this case, we prove and provide capability, develop a "league" > of > operators who can become EMCOMM qualified while allowing themselves > and > others to use the satellite "freetime" while developing their skills > at > disaster relief if they so choose. > > Previously these activities came under the "umbrella" of the ARRL. > That > would be one solution, however there is a real possibility that this > becomes > an opportunity for AMSAT to step up and drag EMCOMM kicking and > screaming > into this century. > > Will it require more of an organization, yes...will it require more > "members"...yes, > but the opportunities for digital to pencil traffic handling and > communications are endless. > > Roger > WA1KAT > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Edward Cole" <kl7uw(a)acsalaska.net> > To: <brobertson(a)mta.ca>; <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Sent: Thursday, December 20, 2007 10:30 AM > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: The Whole GEO Package > > > > At 04:29 AM 12/20/2007, Bruce Robertson wrote: > > > > >In this spirit, might I ask this list to imagine what needs to be > done to > > >make the emcomm/geo package a reality? The following is my rather > long > > >analysis of the situation. > > > > > >I believe the proponents of the Intelsat agreement have done us a > great > > >service by identifying a real and persisting need which AMSAT > can > uniquely > > >fulfill. By doing so, they not only greatly increase our chances > of > funding > > >otherwise prohibitively expensive launches, they give our branch > of the > > >hobby a greater reason to do what we do. > > > > > >However, I also think the EMCOMM branch of our hobby has > different needs > > >than the usual satellite station operator. If we are to really > and > honestly > > >make the world a safer place and save lives, I think we will need > to > > >provide a GEO EMCOMM package that will require us as a > organization to > > >branch into some new and exciting efforts. Let me explain what I > mean. > > > > > >Traditionally, a satellite station has been developed through > one > person's > > >expertise gradually growing regarding a number of interrelated > aspects: > low > > >signal VHF and UHF operation; the mechanics of an az-el antenna > array; > > >computer control; and doppler correction. Certain satellites or > operating > > >habits allow one to omit one or more of these, but in general > it's, even > by > > >ham standards, a challenging array of new skills and > understanding. I'd > say > > >the members of AMSAT are self-selected as those who enjoy this > challenge > > >and seek to learn as many aspects of the field as possible. > > > > > >However, for an EMCOMM system to be effective, it cannot rely on > a broad > > >array of such specialized knowledge: it is unreasonable to expect > that > the > > >first ham on the scene of a disaster will be one of the AMSAT > 'us', a > > >person who has acquired this specialized knowledge. It is only > reasonable > > >to assume that it will be an amateur radio operator, familiar > with the > > >general principles of radio theory and operation. In fact, in my > region t > he > > >EMCOMM specialists and the technical specialists (if I might put > it that > > >way) are often not the same people. > > > > > >So our challenge is more extensive than the challenge that faced > AMSAT > with > > >any previous launch: we need to make communication through this > bird > > >possible for any ham shmoe who is opening up a box of equipment > after, > say > > >an afternoon of instruction half a year ago. Please note, this > is not a > > >matter of dumbing-down the bird or making it uninteresting. In > fact, for > > >the old-hands and the technically adept around here this will be > very > > >interesting and a great outlet for our skills. In this > application, if > not > > >on all birds, we should take it as a sign of success when people > > >effortlessly get connected, because it would mean that, in a > true > emergency > > >there would be a greater likelihood of useful service. > > > > > >If this analysis is accurate, we need to imagine, broadly, three > things: > a) > > >the services (or modes) this ham will offer to support EMCOMM; b) > the box > > >of stuff that this ham opens up; c) the afternoon's training she > undertook > > >to know how to use it. These are interrelated, of course. The > training is > > >apropos the box of stuff, and the box of stuff allows the > services. They > > >should also, I think, be *standardized* to an extent that has not > been > the > > >case before with satellite work. Recently I heard the argument on > Amateur > > >Radio Newsline that ham EMCOMM services should be more > interchangeable > > >across the continent; the same will surely be the case regarding > this > work. > > >Ideally the 'stuff' and the training is the same everywhere so > that the > > >shmoe has a chance of recollecting her training and is required > to factor > > >out/in as few local variables as possible. > > > > > >The advantage we have is that it isn't unreasonable to expect the > box of > > >stuff to be perhaps more pricey than individual hams would like > such > things > > >to be. > > > > > >A large part of a) and b) will be determined by the ACP team, > whose goal > > >even with Eagle was to provide ground-station hardware alongside > the > bird's > > >hardware. (The wisdom of this new approach should be applauded; > I'm sure > it > > >has made re-purposing Eagle hardware for P4/EMCOMM much easier > to > imagine.) > > >As I've argued before, I think one of the most important mode we > can > offer > > >is simple Internet connectivity, allowing the emergency services > folks to > > >use the communication tools like email with which they are most > familiar. > I > > >hope this will be part of the mix. As for the second half of b) > and c), I > > >think it will focus around designing and teaching the use of > software. > > >Perhaps the box of stuff will include a laptop that operates well > with a > > >specialized linux distribution-on-a-disk, including all the > software > tools > > >needed to assess link quality, perform simple communication, etc. > If I'm > > >right, this is fortunate because we seem to have quite a number > of adept > > >software developers in our midst. > > > > > >Finally, the course. Can we provide standard lesson-plans, ppt > slides and > > >the like? I think this would significantly lower the bar on each > of us > > >teaching a session on P4 to our local club or EMCOMM group. > > > > > >I think we should spread the load on these tasks as early as > possible, > > >making many of us participants in the final goal of increasing > the safety > > >of our communities and nations. I'm excited to hear what others > think > about > > >the broader implications of the P4 initiative and how we can > deliver on > the > > >whole GEO package. > > > > > >73, Bruce > > >VE9QRP > > > > Bruce, > > > > This is an excellent topic to bring to the -bb. > > > > Off course until the design of P4 has progressed, this is mostly > speculation. > > > > The EMCOMM radio package will most certainly drive the satellite > > requirements, as well. > > > > The ground package needs to be: > > 1- compact (portable) > > 2- standardized (so diverse groups can assemble a package) > > 3- well documented (both for assembly and use) > > 4- versatile to power (anywhere in the world) > > 5- robust (to endure rough handling; harsh environments) > > 6- easy to interface (with computing hdwr; telco; other ham > equipment) > > 7- simple to assemble and aim > > 8- affordable > > 9- kit or ready to use (within reason considering the technology) > > > > This should probably be close to the same package that the > apartment > > user will have. This would expand the volume of units made. > design > > be made available to commercial sector to provide units (fitting > the > spec). > > > > Hope this gives a starting point. > > > > > > 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 > > ====================================== > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 > > > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > >

6 6

Re: ANDE
by wa6fwf 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

ANDE-1>BEACON/1: <UI>: T#006,015,180,143,001,197,00100110,000 just heard at 22:25 UTC at CM97AG 73 Kevin WA6FWF

1 0

5400B Rotor Problem
by Bill Bruno 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

First, many thanks to W7PN, VE4YZ and W0SAT for their help in troubleshooting my rotor problem. Problem: Both az and el indicators moved to just past the mid position with the rotors moving full travel ( They moved all the time the rotors were moving but at a slower rate). Both indicators have the same circuitry differing only in the scale on the face plates so all voltage readings should be the same for both az and el. Mine were. On the back of the controller, terminal 1 should read a constant 6 vdc. Terminals 2 and 3 voltages will vary according to rotor position but added together should total 6 v. My terminal 1 reading was 3.2 v, approx half what it should be. Following the circuit back towards the voltage regulator, R9 and R10 also both read 3.2 v ( should be 6 v). At the voltage regulator (Q2 on the diagram, Part # ua7806c) readings should be approx 16 v on the input pin, 6v on the output pin, with the center pin ground. My readings were 16 v in, 3.2 v out, center pin ground, isolating the problem to the voltage regulator. I hope this info can be of use to others. Bill KB2RC Amsat 6986

3 2

One Laptop Per Child
by Clint Bradford 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

> folks, I am pissed, they just sent me a letter saying no go on > arival of my laptop by dec 24th... Chances are that the receiving child doesn't celebrate anything particularly special on December 25, and will be grateful whenever he/ she receives your generous donation. Clint Bradford, K6LCS

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one laptop per child
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

folks, I am pissed, they just sent me a letter saying no go on arival of my laptop by dec 24th. I orderd the fist day and got a order number of 99. wonder if i can cancel. kc8gkf

2 1

ANDE report Dec 22, 13:35uts pass over Europe
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

Dec 22 / 13:35 utc pass / max 8 degrees elevation: ANDE still working good, with 100W & 2x6 element DK7ZB easy access. Below a snapshot of traffic: 133509 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAo,DK3WN-1::ALL :TS2000/100W, 6 element DK7ZB, 6 degrees elevation 133413 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::ALL :Happy holidays ! 133410 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#001,015,181,146,001,045,00000110,000 133602 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,EA4EKH-6::F6HDW :QSL 133517 : F6HDW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,EA4EKH-6:=4249.05N/00135.07E-JN02TT / f6hdw(a)wanadoo.fr {UISS51} Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo (my ANDE weblog)

1 0

ande 13:20 over FN02 with telemetry
by Kevin Chudy 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

For a high elevation, the pass seemed short. I didn't get any packets in, but I received the following: Fm KD8ATF-2 To CQ Via ANDE-1* <UI pid=F0 Len=20 >[08:19:58] HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDE Fm ANDE-1 To BEACON <UI pid=F0 Len=39 >[08:20:01] T#005,145,147,141,151,151,10101111,000 Fm ANDE-1 To APRS3 Via SGATE <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[08:20:05] :BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN Fm KB1NBU To CQ Via ANDE-1* <UI pid=F0 Len=49 >[08:20:16] Seasons greetings from the Green Mountains FN34ti Fm KB1NBU To CQ Via ANDE-1* <UI pid=F0 Len=26 >[08:20:25] :KB1GVR :Merry Christmas Kevin N2JPE --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now.

2 1

ANDE not heard this time over New Zealand at 14:21 UTC
by Jim Towler 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

Guys, Using the same setup as earlier passes, this time I heard NOTHING from ANDE during a perfect pass overhead. Nova claimed elevation peaked about 85 degrees, at 14:21 UTC, over Wellington, New Zealand. No packets heard, and of course, nothing decoded. Regards, Jim, ZL1TYF

1 0

ANDE Dec 22, 10:30 utc pass over Europe (just great)
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

Many, many stations via ANDE ! SP8RSL, SP1TMN, PA3GUO, DG1US, DD6UBW, G7THL, F9XG, G0FSJ Satgates: SP7THR, DL8DR, DK3WN, PA3GUO, G4HYG, G7THL, EI7IG (thanks) DK3WN commanded the telemetry rate up to 10 seconds for ANDE-1, worked perfect. PA3GUO commanded the telemetry rate up to 10 seconds for ANDE-2, worked perfect. Internal battery Temp is going down (yes) still a bit, both Side A and B. Systems running fine. Emailing via ANDE worked great: PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-2*,qAo,G4HYG-1::email :pa3guo@amsat.org email via ANDE-2 and I did receive the email via internet within seconds ! See below - such an large activity in such a short pass. 1222103522:SP8RSL]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAo,SP7THR::PA3GUO-8 :pse QSL via eQSL or rsl(a)op.pl my QSL OK! 1222103516:SP1TMN-6]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAo,SP7THR:=/3OP]R2vF` B,sp1tmn(a)interia.pl op.Janusz 1222103516:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,SP7THR:T#023,145,155,151,151,147,10101111,960 1222103513:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,SP7THR:T#024,146,147,144,149,159,10101111,907 1222103507:SP8RSL]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAo,DL8DR::DK3WN-1 :pse QSL via eQSL or rsl(a)op.pl my QSL OK! 1222103507:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,SP7THR:T#022,136,047,049,046,214,11100001,960 1222103456:SP8RSL]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::DK3WN-1 :Hello op. Jan,QTH: Kazimierz Dolny, KO01xh 1222103456:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#021,148,177,146,002,215,00100111,960 1222103451:SP8RSL]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3:=5118.76N/02155.28E-73' Via Satellite rsl(a)op.pl {UISS51} 1222103448:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#020,002,016,014,007,006,01000000,960 1222103448:ANDE-1]APRS1,SGATE,qAo,SP7THR::BLN1ANDE :ANDE-1 only wakes up 1 of evry 15s for users. Pse conserve. 1222103448:ANDE-1]APRS1,SGATE,qAO,SP7THR-3::BLN1ANDE :ANDE-1 only wakes up 1 of evry 15s for users. Pse 1222103443:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#021,002,016,014,007,006,01000000,907 1222103437:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#020,146,146,142,150,160,10101111,907 1222103437:SP1TMN-6]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3:]221034z***Merry Christmas*** 1222103437:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#019,146,156,152,149,147,10101111,960 1222103436:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:]Satellite 145.825mhz US Naval Academy 1222103427:SP1TMN-6]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3:=/3OP]R2vF` B,sp1tmn(a)interia.pl op.Janusz 1222103427:PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::ANDE :keeping alive side A & B 1222103427:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#018,132,047,049,046,214,11100001,960 1222103422:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#019,136,046,049,046,213,11100001,907 1222103416:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#017,148,178,146,001,214,00100111,960 1222103412:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#018,147,180,142,001,027,00000111,907 1222103411:DG2US]APU25N,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::DD6UBW :Merry Christmas de Frank{20 1222103408:DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::Heard :ANDE-2,DG2US,PA3GUO-8,DK3WN-1{UISS51} 1222103407:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#016,002,016,014,007,006,01000000,960 1222103402:ANDE-2]APRS3,SGATE,qAo,DK3WN-1::BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN 1222103402:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#017,002,016,014,007,006,01000000,907 1222103356:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#015,146,156,153,147,146,10101111,960 1222103352:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#016,146,146,140,151,162,10101111,907 1222103346:DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::DG2US :QSL - 73 de Bernd 1222103346:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#014,136,047,049,046,214,11100001,960 1222103342:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,DK3WN-1:T#015,132,046,049,046,213,11100001,907 1222103338:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#013,148,172,146,002,214,00100111,960 1222103338:PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3::ANDE :keeping alive side A & B 1222103335:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#014,147,180,142,001,028,00000111,907 1222103326:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#012,002,016,014,007,006,01000000,960 1222103326:DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,SP7THR-3:CQ CQ CQ 1222103322:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#013,002,052,038,027,024,01000000,907 1222103317:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#011,146,155,154,145,145,10101111,960 1222103312:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#012,146,147,138,151,163,10101111,907 1222103306:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#010,136,046,049,046,214,11100001,960 1222103305:DG2US]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5111.39N/01337.12E`Good bye Ande, 73 de Frank {UIV32N} 1222103302:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,SP7THR-3:T#011,137,046,049,046,213,11100001,907 1222103257:G7THL]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5054.97N/00240.80W-CQ CQ de Dave G7THL {UIV32N} 1222103256:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#009,148,178,146,001,214,00100111,960 1222103252:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#010,147,180,142,001,028,00000111,907 1222103247:ANDE-1]APRS3,SGATE,qAO,PA3GUO::BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN 1222103246:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#008,002,016,014,008,007,01000000,960 1222103245:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,DL8DR:]ANDE alt. channel. US Naval Academy 1222103242:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,DK3WN-1:T#009,002,015,014,007,006,01000000,907 1222103236:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,DL8DR:T#007,146,154,155,143,145,10101111,960 1222103232:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#008,146,147,136,152,165,10101111,907 1222103228:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#006,137,046,049,046,214,11100001,960 1222103222:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#007,132,046,049,046,213,11100001,907 1222103221:F9XG]APU16N,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=/5Kw+NPI4- B--George Qth:LeHavre 73! Hold good! 1222103216:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#005,149,178,146,001,214,00100111,960 1222103212:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#006,147,174,142,001,027,00000111,907 1222103202:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#005,002,015,014,008,007,01000000,907 1222103156:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#004,146,152,157,142,145,10101111,280 1222103152:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#004,145,147,135,153,166,10101111,907 1222103137:G0SFJ]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5229.00N\00055.00WS {UISS51} 1222103132:ANDE-2]APRS2,SGATE,qAO,PA3GUO::BLN2ANDE :ANDE stays awake for 30 secs after last pkt heard. 1222103122:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAo,DL8DR:T#002,002,015,014,008,006,01000000,524 1222103116:G0SFJ]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:feelin' hot hot hot... 1222103112:DG2US]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAo,G4HYG-1:=5111.39N/01337.12E`Good bye Ande, 73 de Frank {UIV32N} 1222103103:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,DL8DR:T#003,137,046,049,046,214,11100001,000 1222103042:ANDE-2]BEACON,qAO,G7THL:T#001,146,148,134,154,166,10101111,000 1222103028:PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-2*,qAo,G4HYG-1::email :pa3guo@amsat.org email via ANDE-2 1222103016:ANDE-1]APRS2,SGATE,qAO,PA3GUO::BLN2ANDE :ANDE stays awake for 30 secs after last pkt heard. 1222103012:ANDE-1]BEACON,qAo,G4HYG-1:T#002,002,015,014,008,006,01000000,000 1222102952:G7THL]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAo,EI7IG:=5054.97N/00240.80W-CQ CQ de Dave G7THL {UIV32N} Henk, PA3GUO http://www.qsl.net/pa3guo

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Re: ANDE STILL ALIVE
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

Hi Jim, Well, that is actually quite a good result you have ! Keep posting, but also go to: http://www.ande-deorbit.com Submit anything you receive there, as that is a central point of collection, next to the automated way via internet. Have a look, we have set up a special AWARD for those that hear ANDE telemetry in these last day(s) (or make a QSO). Henk, PA3GUO ========================================================= Hi, Just got four packets from ANDE during the 08:13 UTC pass, 22nd Dec 2007, over Wellington, New Zealand. Sorry, I can't forward into the packet system myself. I downloaded ASatLogger, but maybe some issues with Windows Vista, but could not get it to play fair. Also, seems I need an ID to send into the server anyway. Four packets from ANDE were: ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>: ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>: ZL1AOX>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI>:Ping...# 39 ZL1TYF>APRS,ANDE-1* <UI R>:Hi from Wellington at RE78jt One last being my own. The others, ZL1AOX, is Ian from Auckland, New Zealand. About 550 Km to my north. I was sending every 30 seconds, per Bob's OK in an earlier email. Once I heard my packet, I turned my beacon off. Few packets heard other than those that decoded as above. No telemetry sadly Bob. Regards, Jim, ZL1TYF

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ANDE keppler sets fine still at this moment
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

During the recent pass (Saturday Dec 22 0900utc) the keppler set I used was still perfectly in line with the actuall passing of ANDE. http://www.celestrak.com/NORAD/elements/amateur.txt But man - it passess fast now ! Henk, PA3GUO

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ANDE report 22 Dec 2007 / 09:00 UTC / pass over Europe
by Henk, PA3GUO 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

ANDE report 22 Dec 2007 / 09:00 UTC / pass over Europe (40 degrees ele. max. for me) Frosty weather suddenly, my antenna has a layer of ice ... Amateur radio stations that successfully digipeated via ANDE: SQ2RH, DD6UBW, DK3WN, PA3GUO, F9XG, F1SRC 20071222090314 : DK3WN-1]APU25N,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=4943.90N/00857.30EyGood Bye ANDE and thank you Bob !!! 20071222090313 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#017,138,047,049,046,214,11100001,917 20071222090304 : DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::Heard :PA3GUO-8,DK3WN-1,ANDE-2,SQ2RH{UISS51} 20071222090258 : DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::SQ2RH :QSL - 73 de Bernd 20071222090251 : ANDE-1]APRS3,SGATE,qAO,PA3GUO::BLN3ANDE :Aliases are RELAY, WIDE,APRSAT,ARISS & WIDEnN 20071222090251 : DD6UBW]CQ,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::DK3WN-1 :QSL - 73 de Bernd 20071222090246 : SQ2RH]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:Hi ANDE-1 you are 1 yrar and 1 day old bravo 20071222090243 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#014,146,136,137,146,149,10101111,917 20071222090237 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAo,DK3WN-1::ALL :Experimental Satellite Radio Communication via ANDE 20071222090134 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO::ALL :ANDE Command Station The Netherlands 20071222090133 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#007,002,009,009,004,004,01000000,917 20071222090114 : PA3GUO-8]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAo,DK3WN-1::test 20071222090053 : ANDE-1]BEACON,qAO,PA3GUO:T#003,001,015,014,008,006,01000000,917 Henk, PA3GUO, The Netherlands TS2000/100W, 2x6 elements antenna, no pre-amp

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ANDE STILL ALIVE
by Mr Jeffrey L Ross 22 Dec '07

22 Dec '07

FOLKS, GOT ONE TELEM LAST PASS. WILL BE THERE AGAIN TOMORROW KC8GKF 21-Dec-07 14:59:08 DISC1*>W3ADO <UA> 21-Dec-07 14:59:15 ANDE-1*>BEACON <UI>: T#006,017,181,151,002,180,00100110,410

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AO51 Signals
by Andrew Rich 21 Dec '07

21 Dec '07

Hello I built a 10 turn helix for 435 MHz. I have 15 meters of RG-213. Radio is an ICOM 706 mkii G I am not getting strong signals like I would have expected ? Can someone share their setups and signal strengths ? Maybe a pre-amp might help ? Am I getting too much loss in the cable ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Out of Office
by Martha 21 Dec '07

21 Dec '07

After 30 years, I am taking 2 weeks off. I will be out of the office from Dec 24- Jan 4th. Please note that the LVB boxes have not yet arrived so I will begin calling people on the waiting list when I return. To speed the process up, you can place your order on the store so it will be waiting for me when I get back. Have a HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR! -- 73- Martha

2 1

ANDE: Time to say good-bye to a friend
by Henk, PA3GUO 21 Dec '07

21 Dec '07

It's getting time to say goodbye to a good friend: ANDE will de-orbit within the coming days. "Bye bye ANDE" "Bye Bye my Friend" http://home.vianetworks.nl/users/hamoen/pa3guo/ande_voice_24112007_bye.mp3 Henk, PA3GUO

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APRS Congratulations to ANDE
by Henk, PA3GUO 21 Dec '07

21 Dec '07

Below a copy taken from http://www.ande-deorbit.com: ZL1TYF>APRS,ANDE-1* :Happy Birthday ANDE HA2RD-1]APU25N,ANDE-1*,qAo,EI7IG:=4702.98N/01752.78E`HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDE ! ! ! F1SRC]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,EA4EKH-6:=4731.10N/00308.06W- 73 to all, salut ANDE - f1src(at)free.fr DL8DR]APRS,ANDE-1*,qAO,PA3GUO:=5328.17N/00949.92EyHappy Birthday and Good Bye , ANDE! DK3WN-1]APU25N,ANDE-1*,qAo,SP7THR:=4943.90N/00857.30EyHappy Birthday ANDE de DK3WN Many stations congratulated ANDE with its first birthday ! Henk

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