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

Working ANDE before re-entry
by Ed Tump 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Folks, Being new to the sats, using voice and packet, I would like to work ANDE before "it" re-enters. Any special path to use for APRS? Anything special to do for tracking? I am using Orbitron and updated my keps today. 73, Ed KC9GWK Grid EN52 AmSat Member

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AO-51 IC-32A
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Hello When using a 32A on AO-51 what are the best frequencies to program in for doppler correction. I assume we leave the uplink channel in one place. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
by Andrew Glasbrenner 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

I noticed the new release of SATPC32 12.7 includes Intelsat spacecraft in one of the keplerian/satellite options. You can scroll through them and get an idea of the possibilities and range of footprints. Real life performance will be, as Bob suggests, dependent on our antenna pattern. Other services are usuable from the poles, such as Inmarsat, given enough gain and a clear horizon. MTI uses this as a selling point for their phone with the 4 ft dishes we S-band types are so fond of. So we might work fairly well out to the edge, again, dependent on the antenna. 73, Drew KO4MA >From: Robert McGwier <rwmcgwier(a)gmail.com> > >We do not know the answer yet. Our request is for multiple payloads, >covering with subsat over Atlantic, Pacific, and Central U.S. We would >need one over the Indian Ocean to cover the 2 pi radians of the equator >with antenna pattern. The north and south pole would be left out so I >am sure the emperor penguins and polar bears would be upset! > >Bob > >Simon Brown wrote: >> Where would this GEO be positioned? Even rough information would be >> interesting. >> >> Simon Brown, HB9DRV

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Re: passive reflector links?
by Clare Fowler 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

A local amateur here wanted to check out his 2.4 GHz transverter. We are about 20 kilometers apart and not line of site due to the local terain. He wanted to try it anyway. We coordinated on 2 meters. I have a 1.2 m dish and he was using a loop yagi. He hand held the yagi and as he moved it around I soon heard him. It didnt take long to realize that when he was pointed at a local water tower well off to the side I received a very strong signal. It doesnt take much of a metal object to reflect at 2.4 Ghz. This is a major problem with local low power interference. Even though you have a very directional antenna with low side lobes, reflections and rereflections from buildings and structures on the sides and in front can be very significant. Clare VE3NPC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robert Bruninga" > What I want to try is taking the ubiquitous 3m satelite dish and > point it at the local water tower, and then find another such > ham to do the same, and see what kind of 2.4 GHz links we can > establish... > > We have a 600' tower across the river, and with a total of about > 50 dB gain from the two dishes, it would seem to be a viable way > of communicating. > > Not much else to do with all these BUD's. Bob, WB4APR

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Coordinates and FindU
by Ed Tump 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Folks, I have been using my coordinates off of my GPS receiver at home as 4251.71N/08813.40W. Once I TX them to the local APRS or the ISS packet system Findu.com locates them on a map easily 30 miles plus down the road. They should smack me right next to Camp Lake in Trevor, WI is anyone else having this issue? 73, Ed KC9GWK Grid EN52 AmSat Member

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Re: 144 Mhz contact made using ISS as passive reflector
by Greg D. 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Hi Tony, Ah, good point. Six gigawatts EIRP is certainly a little more than the average Ham station can muster. So, now the next question... How to do this best? It occurs to me that we should be able to predict when the Station is in a favorable attitude, presumably using the solar panels as reflectors like the Iridium Flares. There are several programs out there to do this for Iridium; could they be adapted to the ISS? For extra credit, predict the times when the solar panels are favorable to a QSO between your station and another? Greg KO6TH ---------------------------------------- > Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2007 10:16:00 -0500 > To: ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > From: aa2tx(a)comcast.net > Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: 144 Mhz contact made using ISS as passive reflector > > At 11:49 PM 12/11/2007, Greg D. wrote: > >>I thought of doing this back in October, when all the Sputnik-1 / >>early satellite discussion was happening. Echo-1, and all >>that. But, I would think that NASA (if not the crew) would frown on >>a bunch of folks on the ground hurling a few megawatts EIRP at their >>home in outer space. If Bob had to have a bazillion levels of >>safety in place for the little PCSAT-2 transmitter, I would think >>this would be right up there in the safety category, no? >> >>I haven't done the math yet... Are we far enough away that 1/x**2 saves us? >> >>Greg KO6TH > > Hi Greg, > > The ISS flies through the 217 MHz AFSSS Radar Fence 6 times a day and > it has an ERP of over 6,000 megawatts. It is only for about a second > at the peak but even the sidelobes are much higher than anything > a ham station could possibly come up with - no problem. > > 73, > Tony AA2TX > > _________________________________________________________________ The best games are on Xbox 360. Click here for a special offer on an Xbox 360 Console. http://www.xbox.com/en-US/hardware/wheretobuy/

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Re: Putting The Cart Before The Horse
by Fred A Parker 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

First in my original post I wanted to stimulate a debate on the feasibility of Phase 4. I received to many e-mail's off line to count all afraid to say anything on the bb. Everyone supporting my opinion not one negative, thank you all for the support. I did also receive emails from Rick Hambly and Robert McGuire attesting to my lack of intellectual capacity. (attack the messenger not the message) In his Email to me Mr. McQwier also challenged me to submit a resolution to the BOD and he would second it. My plans are to take him up on it. I actually plan on submitting two off them. First: To form a committee of amateurs in and out of Amsat with technical skills to asses the viability of SDR. The number one reason for this is after three years I have not been able to find one instance where anyone has produced a working SDR transponder. Second: One night recently while talking on two meter ssb to a local retired ham, a retired collage professor with a PHD. Who rights his own SDR software. When explaining what Amsat was trying to do his words were good luck. If this SDR is such a good thing those behind it should welcome a full per review and prove me wrong. Second: To form a committee of hams to survey hams both in and out of Amsat on what they want in a future satellite. With the goal of bringing in new hams for increasing membership in Amsat. This is my opinion and I feel free to express it because over the last three years I have donated at least $30,000.00 US dollars in CNC Machine shop work to Amsat. Especially to the Eagle project. As I see it now the project actually has gone backward. How would you feel if you spent a whole winter working on the Eagle Module's pro bono and just because you did not agree with something that your intelligence would be attacked. I just got off Eagle Pedia and could not find updated mechanical drawings as the old design has been scrapped. I want again to state this is my opinion. It is my believe that Rick Hambly and his phase 4 are just a diversion to cover up his past failures with the hardware and software for present projects. How does Amsat realistically plan on paying for such a project that when I confronted him via email that he did not deny would cost a minimum of $5 million dollars. As for the rest, it is being covered pretty well on this bb. Fred

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UK Schools - Space experiment contest launched
by Trevor 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

UK Schools - Space experiment contest launched UK schoolchildren are being offered the chance to design an experiment for a small satellite in an effort to boost interest in space science. The contest, organised by the British National Space Centre (BNSC) and Surrey Satellite Technology (SSTL), is open to students between the ages of 14 and 18. The winning experimental package should be about the size of a lunch box, weighing no more than 1kg but it will be given a developmental budget of up to £100,000. The deadline for receiving initial proposals is 28 February 2008. In March, entries will be whittled down to a shortlist of six finalists who will then be invited to submit more detailed proposals. The winning proposal will be announced at the congress of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) in Glasgow in October 2008. Full BBC Story at http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7139356.stm Howard Long G6LVB - Build Your Own Satellite http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/Build%20Your%20Own%20Satellite.doc or http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/Build%20Your%20Own%20Satellite.htm or http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/Build%20Your%20Own%20Satellite.mht AMSAT-UK is the Amateur Radio Satellite organisation for the United Kingdom and they publish a quarterly newsletter full of Amateur Satellite information. Join now online at https://secure.amsat.org.uk/subscription/ For further details contact the secretary Jim Heck G3WGM Tel: +44 (0)1258 453959 Email: g3wgm(a)amsat.org Website: http://www.uk.amsat.org/ ---- 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 --------------- __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com

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UK small satellite contest
by andy thomas 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Gang: Competition for UK young people 14-18 to develop £100k (>$200) satellite See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7139356.stm 73 de andy G0SFJ __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com

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Nice! one.
by john hackett 14 Dec '07

14 Dec '07

Hello Bob, Just thought I'd let you know your video's are extreemly useful to the potential newcomer in Europe too. Well done! mate. 73 John. EU-Amsat chief cook and bottle washer. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> Homepage <http://www.observations.biz> _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

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Re: driveway WAS AO-51
by John W Lee 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Hi Bob, Well, a preamp sure helps a lot no matter what antenna you have. I always use a preamp when operating portable with the Arrow. That way you can hear the distant passes, as well as being able to hear the bird from horizon to horizon with a decent signal. Couple of examples: 46 states, 164 grids operating portable from Alabama in about 3 weeks. 28 states, 60 grids operating portable from New Mexico in 1 week. 27 states, 60 grids operating portable from Maryland in 1 week. With an HT, Arrow, ARR preamp. The way things are going, you'll probably get WAS on FM long before we get another HEO. It's been a LONG wait. 73, John, K6YK On Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:23:26 -0800 Mark VandeWettering <mvandewettering(a)gmail.com> writes: > w7lrd(a)comcast.net wrote: > > Hello > > I have set a new goal to accomplish. I recently received an Arrow > antenna. So armed with my IC-W32A I'm going to work WAS from my > driveway. Is a preamp needed for my configuration? Should you hear > me give me a call. I'm running out of things to do while waiting > for the next HEO. > > 73 Bob W7LRD > > Seattle

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Satellite user "communities"
by Bob Stewart 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

With the "range war" that's going on right now, it seems like there are at least two communities of satellites users: one that wants simple, easy to use transponders and doesn't mind the windows of availability (and perhaps enjoys it for the added simple technical challenge), and another that wants an HF band type of experience with perfect propagation. There may be other subsets that I haven't noticed, yet, but these seem to be the two main groups. Both have their merits. Bob - AE6RV

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Re: Bob's Message
by Joe Krepps 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

> Dave Guimont wrote: > > >>>The reason for Echo (a two-user FM voice) escapes me also, Greg. >>> >>>To me, money down the tubes... >>> >>> > > I'll agree with that one also, a whole bird with one "Channel" seems > like a HUGE waste. Cool? Yeah,, but single user uh,, nah. I respectfully disagree. I'm very happy to get involved with birds for the second time, thanks to Echo. There was a time when I had an IC-820H, Yaesu dual axis rotors, HyGain(?) CPs for 2m & 70cm. It was all just a bit much. This was (probably) before MacDoppler so I was struggling with tracking and predictions. It sure was cool looking but I never got my use out of it. Sold the stuff for a song. Not a good song either! Getting my feet wet...again...with an Arrow and my FT-817ND and/or FT-470 is perfect for my current situation! I wouldn't be on this list if it were not for the FM birds. If no one else will stand up for them, I will! Not arguing the value of HEOs but my sincere thanks to those who made the LEOs possible! If it gets more people involved, why not? If it keeps them around for HEOs, isn't that good? "Real soon now" I'd love to take a stab at AO-7 with my setup + extra bits (preamp, maybe a bigger antenna.), correct modes of course. Will I get many complaints if I only shoot 5w, CW/SSB, at AO-7 from my LEO rig???? I'm really a 20m guy. (Well, what else can you do with 5w when you're mobile?) 73s, Joe WB3CFN

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Project Oscar Anniversary
by Dave Guimont 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Come on gang, where is everybody? I was alone on VO52 this am, an signals were very strong, but talking to myself about GB0O1..... I made 4 contacts on AO51 yesterday...the anniversary date... I was fortunate that I made contact on VO52 with Rick, WA4NVM on VO52....Now I have an AO7 contact to make to complete the circuit... Perhaps I am more emotionally involved...I personally knew three of the designers and builders of Oscar 1, thru low band contacts with them....I was on active duty in a Squadron on an aircraft carrier so I had no chance to actively participate, other than to encourage those three individuals...The three of them are now cq'ing from above.... My first chance to set up a station was Oscar 7, and subsequently got to meet all three in person...Harley Gabrielson lived here in San Diego, and saw him often throughout the years.... It is certainly a highlite in AMATEUR SATELLITE RADIO, it was Project Oscar at the time, became AMSAT, and now it seems AMSAT-NA cares not to acknowledge the facts, Kudos to Rob G8ATE, in Jolly Old, for initiating... GB0O1 GB ZERO OSCAR ONE the callsign for five days to commemorate the launch of O1 and celebrate PROJECT OSCAR... Come on guys, get in the act!! Don't forget the Genesis of all AMSATS, and a means, in my mind, to promote peace in a small but meaningful way.... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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One camp versus another
by John Marranca, Jr 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Hey all. Wow...there is quite a bit of division, for sure. However, it shouldn't be that way. Be it FM Easy Sats, or the CW/SSB Linear sats, or the digital Packet sats, we are still united in the love for satellite operation. Period. Some like the FM birds. Some don't. Each is entitled to their opinions. I for one, see FM satellites as a stepping stone to working the Linears..almost how the Novice Ham license was intended. As far as AMSAT leadership goes...if the members as a whole don't approve of what's going on, or the direction of the organization, then it is up to said members to remove what they don't like. That's how a healthy democracy works. Anyway...the debate in an open forum is also a good thing, as each opinion is voiced, problems are posed, and solutions are offered. 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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driveway WAS AO-51
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Hello I have set a new goal to accomplish. I recently received an Arrow antenna. So armed with my IC-W32A I'm going to work WAS from my driveway. Is a preamp needed for my configuration? Should you hear me give me a call. I'm running out of things to do while waiting for the next HEO. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle

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Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
by Fred A Parker 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Fred A Parker wrote: > Just a suggestion, Has Amsat explored the idea of hiring a professional to help in some of the day to management and fund raising? When Amsat has a potential consumer base of 700,000 hams. If things were done right money should be no problem. Amsat needs to do a better job of selling itself. Then money should be no problem. > Fred Not only have we considered it Fred but you continue to demonstrate your ignorance and hostility by not knowing that we have done exactly that. You do not know that all sorts of efforts have been made at raising funds. We are told at every step what basic axioms there are in fund raising. You have to have something to sell to the interested party. No one is interesting in funding a private repeater for 20 guys to talk to each other about their brand new scars and brand new meds and we would be FOOLS to kowtow to people who will be dead or uninterested before we get into orbit. We have a professional fund raiser hired and contracted. We have a professional manager who is doing a DAMN GOOD job, better than when I was a director 15 years ago. It really is time for you to basically shut up and go do some investigation before you make a further complete fool of yourself. Barry asked me if I was shooting the messenger on an unpleasant message. I have made a very successful career out of promoting and working with unpleasant messengers. I have never promoted a single one who fired all cannons in a public forum with wrong facts, open hostility, and just plain dumb ignorance. Really Fred, you are well over the line. This is personal, ad hominem, and of no utility to the organization you ostensibly support. 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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FM LEO satellites
by Wayne Estes 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Joe WB9SBD wrote: a whole bird with one "Channel" seems like a HUGE waste. Cool? Yeah,, but single user uh,, nah. Wayne W9AE replies: AO-51 runs TWO transmitters most of the time. I'm NOT a big supporter of LEO FM satellites, and I definitely wasn't happy about the "bait and switch" after the first Eagle fund-raising campaign. But in retrospect, AO-51 was VERY timely because it was launched shortly after the demise of UO-14. UO-14 was probably the most popular hamsat ever, measured by the number of ground stations who made contacts. Also, the AO-51 digital payload came online when we were down to (I think) only one, and sometimes NO working digital satellites. In addition, AO-51's experimental modes help fill a vacuum while we wait for the next HEO/microwave satellite. We ground station operators get to dabble with bands V/S and L/S, and modes SSB/FM, and PSK/FM. In general, I believe that the large AMSAT organizations (NA and DL) should concentrate on HEO satellites and let the universities and smaller AMSAT groups build LEO satellites. Satellites like VO-52 from AMSAT-India, and KiwiSAT from AMSAT-ZL. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik AMSAT Area Coordinator, President's Club Member

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IC-910H C-IV control port pinout?
by Rick Mann 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Does anyone have pinouts for the Icom IC-910H's C-IV port? I'm hoping to fashion a USB-to-serial adaptor for it, rather than buying Icom's expensive little box. I'm concerned, though, because it looks like it uses a mono plug, so I don't know exactly how it communicates. TIA, Rick

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Putting Thr Cart Befor The Horse
by Fred A Parker 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

After receiving a mailing today from Amsat written by Richard Hambly. I find it imposable to keep quite any longer. Has anyone heard of the saying, putting the cart before the horse. Amsat needs to finish at least one of there present projects before moving on to what in the end may well turn out to be a bunch of pipe dreams. I am speaking of the Mars mission and Geostationary packages. One year ago I was told that Cubesat II would be launched in the fall of 2007. As far as I know very little is done yet. Especially in the electronics end. Don't get me wrong all these ideas are great but lets get back to the basics and finish what we have started befor taking on anything new or nothing will get done. Fred KF0AK

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AO-51 with UI-View32
by Mineo Wakita 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

UI-View32, up 1268.700 MHz, down 435.150 MHz, 9600 bps FSK PACB-1>TIME-1 [12/13/07 19:13:38] <UI>: PHT: uptime is 046/06:08:36. Time is Thu Dec 13 10:17:40 2007 PACB-1>AMSATN-1 [12/13/07 19:13:40] <UI>: >1 Dec 2007 ... FM Repeater ON ... L-Band uplink PBBS ON ... 73 WA4SXM JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [12/13/07 19:12:40] <UI R>:Hello via AO-51 JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [12/13/07 19:14:06] <UI R>:Hello via AO-51 JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [12/13/07 19:14:40] <UI R>:from JAPAN JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [12/13/07 19:14:56] <UI R>:from JAPAN JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [12/13/07 19:15:42] <UI R>:using by UI-Vew32 [UI-View32_MonLog_20071213.TXT] http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ao51aprs.htm --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 13, 2007 ---------------------------------------------

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Re: [eu-amsat] Fw: AO-7 2000 QSO.
by John Hackett 13 Dec '07

13 Dec '07

Gene, Here's an explanation. Some days UA9CS Igor works as many as 7 stations on a pass. Each of these stations enters his callsign - 5 or more passes a day gives a *LOT* of points. Now maybe people can understand what I was rambling on about these last months re: "points" in the log. A few months ago, Igor was well behind me, now he's well ahead. It all depends on how active a person is. Note that the actual figures I quote above are THEORETICAL. Igor doesn't always work 7 stations per pass. There were *VERY* few stations who worked AO-7 in the 70's. Mostly Americans. The JH station in 7th place has ammassed several hundred points without one single QSO ... which of course makes a complete mockery of the points system. As I have mentioned on both reflectors several times. The log is an ACTIVITY log ... *NOT* a contest log. The "points" system is an ill-advised design in my opinion - others may disagree. Accumulative errors from sloppy entries will eventually make the log show incorrect results. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> ............................................................. > To: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com > From: genek(a)hot.ee > Date: Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:27:47 +0200 > Subject: Re: [eu-amsat] Fw: AO-7 2000 QSO. > > Hello group, > > 2000 QSO just via AO-7, this "old bird".... > Hm-m... > How to find so many "uers" of AO-7? > May be he worked via AO-7 during all those 30+ years, even, when > bird was "dead"? > Who has more via AO-7? > May be it was his QSO "number 2000 via satellites" in his logbook? > > Strange, that I meet Igor firstly on satellites only in 2005 (VO-52) > and never before... > In my lodbook only 3843 QSO via satellites (RS, AO-7, AO-10 e.t.c...) > Very poor result... > > 73! Gene ES1RF/ES3RF > > > On Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:18:07 +0200, SV1BSX <sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr> wrote: > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: "TERRY BROMLEY" <terry.bromley(a)btinternet.com> > > > > Subject: AO-7 2000 QSO. > > UA9CS CONGRATULATIONS IN YOUR 2000 QSO'S ON THE OLD BIRD. > > WELL DONE IGOR MY FRIEND. > > > > 73 TERRY G1WPR. > > > > > > > > > > -- > Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/mail/ > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eu-amsat/ > > <*> Your email settings: > Individual Email | Traditional > > <*> To change settings online go to: > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eu-amsat/join > (Yahoo! ID required) > > <*> To change settings via email: > mailto:eu-amsat-digest@yahoogroups.com > mailto:eu-amsat-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com > > <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: > eu-amsat-unsubscribe(a)yahoogroups.com > > <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: > http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ >

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Oscar 1 Anniversary
by Dave Guimont 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

First contacts to celebrate Project Oscar 1 Anniversary!! Make one, and get in on the ground floor... Congrats to Rob, G8ATE, for the initiation... Tnx to the following N5ZNL, Rick; N5UXT, Angelo; N2BX, Paul; XE1HON, Manny for making it possible on AO51 Echo.... ~0150Z on 13 dec. I was only running 5 watts uplink, ICOM 910, homebrew self-designed quadrifilars on both up and downlinks, with antennas at ~45° EL, on the same mast, and rotating manually using a U100 rotor ( I think that is the name?? an inexpensive, age-old TV rotor). Freq. control with SatPC32..... Plans for the antennas on my website: http://home.san.rr.com/doguimont/uploads/ quadfil.exe My own downlink was blasting me, and I had a problem cranking the gain down, to listen. ONE contact would have been enough to comply with the celebration....Of course, digital would be possible with you, Rob, but in my opinion a voice or cw contact is the requirement, and impossible with you in the absence of a HEO... So I wasn't HOGGING, just answering those that called me, and pulled the big switch after the aforementioned contacts... Tnx es QSL to them... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
by Dan Briner 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Tom said "As a Board member I have wholeheartedly embraced the P4 GEO concept as the best (and perhaps only) act in town. I hope that the rest of the AMSAT members are similarly enthusiastic about the idea. As of now, it still is only an idea. It may not happen. But I can guarantee that we are guaranteed to fail if we don't try; and to try we need to know that the community is behind the effort. Remember that AMSAT is an all-volunteer effort, and YOU ARE AMSAT." Well put Tom, if we do not strive to take advantage of the Phase 4 opportunity we will lose the chance to take Amateur Radio to the next level of technology and experimentation. Eagle is a progressive step Phase 4 is a leap. We give up nothing in what needs to be developed for Eagle to peruse the Phase 4. I see our chance to open a whole new dimension for AMSAT and Amateur Radio to be the biggest plus of Phase 4. 73, and best wishes for this holiday season a wonderful New Year Dan Briner AB3EN ab3en(a)amsat.org .- -... ...-- . -.

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Re: Phase 4 versus Eagle
by tjjapha＠earthlink.net 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Bob and all, Could you estimate how long it will take to be ready for a launch opportunity for(a) Phase 4 and (b) for Eagle (assuming you have the funds to build everything needed for the one selected to go first)? The merits of one versus the other is only relevant if they're both realistic options, and I know that that is not clear now. So going down a path from which you can move in either direction makes sense. My surprise is that there appears to be a strong presumption in some of the messages that Phase 4 should be the higher priority. That may be the case, but I don't think we've been given enough information to agree with it or disagree with it. By the way, will the higher power made available on Intelsat mean that a Phase 4 bird will need a much higher power output? If so, are there any implications for the design? 73, Tony, N2UN

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VE3VRW Satellite Gateway Video
by Jeff Davis, KE9V 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Mac users already know the handiwork of Don Agro, VE3VRW. His MacLoggerDX logging application and MacDoppler satellite tracking software is top notch. Don also runs a satellite gateway in Toronto that automatically tracks AO51, AO27, SO50 and ISS and ports the audio into the local repeater network. An outstanding video production of the entire operation can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tOJX-oOZ2Q It's very well produced and certainly worth a look! 73, Jeff KE9V

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What is *real* ISS APRS frequency?
by jon 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

I was googling around to find out the ISS APRS Packet frequency, and I get several answers: Up/Down 145.825/145.825 145.99/145.800 145.800/145.800 What is the correct pair? I am guessing 145.825/145.825. Even Bob gives two different freqs on two different pages. ;) 73s, Jon K7PGB

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The new LVB case is here!
by Stargate 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

The new LVB case is here! The new LVB case is here! The new LVB case is here! I'm somebody now!! For those of you that have never watched the Steve Martin movie "The Jerk"... You won't understand the pun:-) (sorry) All joking aside, it's a VERY nice looking black "METAL" case with AMSAT right on the front. Nice job to the people that were involved. Now my LVB has a look that matches it's performance. Well done! 73's 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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Time Hackers
by Tom Clark, K3IO 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Many of you know that I (along with others like W2GPS, N4HY, K8RQ, N8UR etc) have long-standing interest in high-accuracy timekeeping (especially involving GPS). You might find this WIRED article interesting (http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2007/12/time_hackers). Several of you know about Tom Van Baak (no call) and his time/clock exploits; Tom has been a friend ever since he became interested in atomic clocks. The article doesn't mention it, but Tom (who signs his messages TvB) has TWO hydrogen maser clocks in his lab. Photos of the clock labs at TvB and N8UR home QTHs, see the gallery at http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/multimedia/2007/12/gallery_time_ha…. In the article you will also find mention of John Ackerman (N8UR) in Dayton. John has served as TAPR's president and has recently helped TAPR/AMSAT in developing a GNU-like Open Source Hardware license. For those of you interested in the topic, N8UR runs the "Time Nuts" Email listserv. Details can be found at https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts. 73 & Seasons Greetings -- Tom

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Phase 4 versus Eagle
by tjjapha＠earthlink.net 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Hi all, A very interesting set of exchanges indeed. I nearly fell out of my chair--and not because of old age--reading some of Rick's comments, viz. Amsat will move ahead with Eagle IF WE SO DESIRE! Wow. There has been a very significant change in direction that we have not been informed of. My understanding has been that Phase 4 (Intelsat) would be pursued in tamdem with Eagle. This is much more than a change in tone. Please tell us directly: Has the Board made the judgment that Eagle can't be done because of a lack of affordable launch opportunities? If that is the case, it's a great shame, but we'll have to accept it. The development work apparently can be exploited for Phase 4. Given a choice between Eagle and Phase 4, my vote would go to Eagle. But, again, please tell us directly: Has the Board made the judgment that it is highly unlikely we will have both? If that is the case, then the Board should spell out the likely costs of each, both development and launch costs, and also spell out their current reading regarding the likelihood that each can be launched, and WHEN. With that information, the members could inform the Board of their opinions. A firm decision should be made, and, from the sound of some of the exchanges here, made soon. We need more information than we have if we are to advise the Board of our choices. 73, Tony, N2UN, LM-183

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Phase 5
by John Marranca, Jr 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

This is strictly opinion, but I think the Phase 5/Mars concept is foolish. -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Fw: AO-7 2000 QSO.
by TERRY BROMLEY 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

----- Original Message ----- From: TERRY BROMLEY To: AMSAT Sent: Wednesday, December 12, 2007 10:18 PM Subject: AO-7 2000 QSO. UA9CS CONGRATULATIONS IN YOUR 2000 QSO'S ON THE OLD BIRD. WELL DONE IGOR MY FRIEND. 73 TERRY G1WPR.

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Phase 4 versus Eagle
by Patrick McGrane 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Merry Christmas to all my fellow space enthusiasts Nice to see some informative Big Picture discussion here. For all its worth; I believe a cooperative effort with an established satellite builder incorporating an auxilliary payload makes more sense than an independant effort with more complexity and cost. Who really would'nt want a geosynchronise transponder? Utility costs less than pride! I'm extremely impressed with what amsat can do but a cooperative effort would be more practical with a greater chance for success. I would put my meager resources towards a professional venture more than a risky one. On another note; great to see amsat working on a new power system with the super-caps. Happy holidays to all, pat

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The Road Ahead
by Jeff Davis, KE9V 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Folks, First, I'd like to apologize for having kicked off a thread that ended up being derisive on the BB yesterday -- that was not my intent. Having the facts, as disappointing as they may be for those of us who have been waiting over a decade for an HEO replacement, at least affords us an opportunity to reconnoiter. It's no one's "fault" that the business of launching a satellite has become so costly to an organization like ours. But facts are facts and if we complete Eagle and carry it to the front door of some launch company and are presented with an invoice for $6 million dollars, then it's safe to say that new satellite will never leave the ground. In an ideal world we would build several satellites and have them "ready" to go just in case some launch company calls to say they have room for an "extra 200kg at discount rates" but as we have painfully learned in the past, you never know what that launch configuration might be capable of supporting so how can designers "guess" in 2007 at what a configuration for launch in 2011 might look like? President Hambly has pointed out that any ideas about P4 are just that -- ideas and plans and negotiations. But I can see a significant advantage in that we wouldn't have to "guess" at what a launch adapter might look like years in advance -- all we would have to assemble is a communications payload and let a 3rd party handle the physical integration. It would really be nice if we would step back for a few days and allow all this to marinate in the brain before folks start tossing around threats to withhold donations, etc. I suspect that this turn of events has much deeper implications than just the disappointment of HEO enthusiasts (of which I am one). Consider for a moment how this will impact those among us whose primary interest was in designing spacecraft hardware -- or those seasoned veterans who may not live to see another high orbit bird in our fleet come to fruition. I can see a future where AMSAT will pursue opportunities wherever possible but we might have to learn to do other things too -- perhaps one day AMSAT will take on high altitude balloon projects, partnerships with SETI, more interesting payloads for University sponsored LEO sats, etc. It's also pretty obvious that this is a challenging time for AMSAT leaders who have volunteered to lead us through these perilous waters. Let's give them a hand by supporting them and some of the tough decisions that no doubt will need to be made to keep things moving forward. Honestly, I had decided not to renew my Presidents Club support next year but that was before all this came up. While I'm disappointed, I'm also impressed with the candor that has been shown in giving us these facts. I'm going to renew my support because this looks like an enormous challenge and frankly, that's what makes life interesting. I have no interest in doing easy things -- I much prefer to battle the odds and see how much we can accomplish with the cards that have been dealt to us. Agreed? 73 de Jeff, KE9V AMSAT-NA AMSAT-DL

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Re: Satellite user "comminities"
by Bato, Andras 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Dear Bob AE6RV, There are a thirrd "sect" the one I belong to. We prefer to use cw and also prefer to meet telegraphers instead of members of "today's crowd". I have just been calling on AO7 from AOS to LOS on SSB to help those who does not understand Morse-code. I have got one only one taker G1WPR. (Just take a look at AO7 log at planetemily.com) It's a shame! Are there active stations in Canada and NE USA? Formery I have met K3SZH only. Then I swithched to VO52. You can hear devil of noise on that sat. Many deaf operators tuning up and down and calling without being able to pick up a callsign,etc. It is almost the same experience I felt when we got permission to 6 m. There I met first operators who did not understand to keep a QSO short during an Es opening, started sending station details and the like. I should say there must be a "communinty" of educated radio operators who understands to keep their QSO short -but can also find out when to have a "chat" during the often short DX openings -and first of all on satellites! gl de ha6nn Andras

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Correcting the AO-7 log.
by john hackett 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Hello Joe, Apparently, Emily appears to have abandoned the "real" world and chooses to stay in the "virtual" world in SECOND LIFE. (Her perogative!). Consequently, She doesn't answer her mail so I didn't get the key I requested - which is a pity because the AO-7 log is already in quite a state of disarray - (which I warned about). You'd think Emily would be interested in keeping the log "tidy" because a lot of people have mentioned what a useful resource it is. However Joe, all is not completely lost ... each station can edit their OWN !!! entries ... (but no-one else's). I put a message on both reflectors about this but as you can see from the log, several people just ignored it completely. It rather amazing that the next time they log on they don't see and correct their own mistakes - whether it's laziness or just being half asleep is anybody's guess. To edit your own entry - just click on the hourglass at the left and a new window pops up ... edit it then delete the original "wrong" entry. You can delete YOUR OWN entries - but nobody else's. I *WISH* Emily would reply so that I can start cleaning up the errors. Too many accumulative errors will soon have the data being "off" by a mile ... it's in everybody's interest to be dilligent when entering data in the log - and correcting any mistakes made ... they are after all quite obvious !!! with blank lines etc. I just can't be bothered to e-mail all those that make mistakes and don't bother to correct them. I used to but I've given stopped handing out daipers. I agree absolutely with your FM comments - you know my thoughts on that subject Joe. I batted this to both reflectorsd on the offchance that those who have made mistakes might correct their own entries. (Aye! ... and pigs might fly.....LA2QAA) Have a nice day Joe mate. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> .............................................................................................. > From: k3szh(a)netzero.net > Date: Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:31:57 +0000 > To: la2qaa(a)hotmail.com > Subject: AO7 Lo > > Hello John > Would you be kind enough to correct my mistake above my >posting. I hope you are doing well. > 73 > Joe _________________________________________________________________ Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE! http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/

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144 Mhz contact made using ISS as passive reflector
by Bob Stewart 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/december2007/bouncing_signals_off_iss.htm Congrats to the DF2ZC and DH7FB on making a CW contact using the ISS as a passive reflector! It's interesting that in the article Bernd discusses the problems with using PSK due to doppler, as well as manually having to set az and el. It seems to me that a couple of well equipped computer-controlled earth stations should be able to do this using One True Frequency principles with PSK. Wish I had the equipment to give it a try. Bob - AE6RV

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AO-51 Telemetry
by Andrew Rich 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Does AO-51 send telem on 435.150 ? I have been listening and heard voice on 435.300 but no obvious data. Maybe it is weaker ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Re: Putting The Cart Before The Horse
by R.Haighton 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Rick, I don't want any one individual to "engage the membership on the BB"; Just to get the Executive (yes all of them) involved in getting the "message out". At Pittsburgh this year we were introduced to the new member of the executive whose duties included publicity .... maybe I am missing something but I have not seen any action. AMSAT needs the support of it's members and that includes the Financial support in order to purchase parts, build satellites, pay bills, pay rent etc etc, Being just a member and paying annual dues does not anyway near pay for satellites or launches 73 Robin Immediate Past President AMSAT -----Original Message----- From: Rick Hambly (W2GPS) [mailto:w2gps@cnssys.com] Sent: December 11, 2007 5:43 PM To: 'R.Haighton' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Putting The Cart Before The Horse Robin, I understand that you have always wanted me to engage the membership on the BB but I just don't have time. I do it through the Journal, e-mails and meetings. It's the best I can do for now. What really upsets me is how much the messages on the BB seem to be about what these people (often not members) want for themselves. They are seldom willing to do anything to make their dreams happen. Somehow it should be up to "us." This is not the same attitude I get from people at meetings, Hamfests and the Symposium. There the people are much more engaged and supportive. Rick W2GPS AMSAT LM2232 -----Original Message----- From: R.Haighton [mailto:fhaighton@cogeco.ca] Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 5:13 PM To: 'Rick Hambly (W2GPS)'; 'Fred A Parker' Cc: 'amsat-bb'; 'Lou MC Fadin' Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Putting The Cart Before The Horse -----Original Message----- Rick Hambly Wrote...... With all due respect, I suggest that you may not be adequately informed. Did you attend the Annual Symposium to find out what is really going on? Have you visited the AMSAT Lab yet? Have you attended an AMSAT Board meeting or written to the Board members to get more information? Do you read the project reports in the Journal? If you think things are headed down the wrong path then I recommend that you get informed and get personally involved. I think you will find that some of your perceptions are correct (very little is done yet) and some are not (the cart [is] before the horse). Rick W2GPS AMSAT President Rick one of the duties of the executive is to keep the membership informed, not everyone can attend the Board Meetings or the Annual meeting and Symposium or visit the Lab, Yes Fred May not be adequately informed but I believe that is a function of the Executive " to ensure that all members have the up-to-date information presented to them on a regular Basis. How else can we expect the membership to contribute towards the AMSAT projects. 73 Robin Haighton VE3FRH Immediate Past President AMSAT _____ From: Fred A Parker [mailto:fparker@paulbunyan.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2007 12:56 AM To: amsat-bb; w2gps(a)amsat.org; Lou MC Fadin Subject: Putting Thr Cart Befor The Horse After receiving a mailing today from Amsat written by Richard Hambly. I find it imposable to keep quite any longer. Has anyone heard of the saying, putting the cart before the horse. Amsat needs to finish at least one of there present projects before moving on to what in the end may well turn out to be a bunch of pipe dreams. I am speaking of the Mars mission and Geostationary packages. One year ago I was told that Cubesat II would be launched in the fall of 2007. As far as I know very little is done yet. Especially in the electronics end. Don't get me wrong all these ideas are great but lets get back to the basics and finish what we have started befor taking on anything new or nothing will get done. Fred KF0AK _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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AO-51 BBS L/U mode
by Mineo Wakita 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

WiSP, up 1268.700 MHz, down 435.150 MHZ, 9600 bps, KISS http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/71212a51.jpg --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Dec 12, 2007 ---------------------------------------------

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QUAGI vs HELIX vs QUAD
by Andrew Rich 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Today I built and compared two 70 cm antennae against various satellites. The first antenna was a RHCP helix with 9 turns The second antenna, a 8 element quagi. (vertically) The clear winner was the helix. Anyone had similar experiences ? I remember way back about 10 years ago, i built a quad with a metal boom, and it picked up better side on. (not good) I have kept to an 8 element quad on 2meters, it is really good. I can key up a repeater some 150 km's away and i am in a ditch. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Original email about "First(?) 144-MHz-QSO via Reflexion on ISS"
by w8iss＠wideopenwest.com 12 Dec '07

12 Dec '07

Here's the original email I received off the Moon-net EME reflector Sunday for those of you who are not subscribed to it. James W8ISS ======= ---------- Forwarded Message ----------- From: "DF2ZC" To: "'Moon-Net'" <moon-net(a)list-serv.davidv.net> Sent: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 17:58:19 +0100 Subject: [Moon-net] First(?) 144-MHz-QSO via Reflexion on ISS Hello All, Triggered by Peter SM2CEW's tries to complete a QSO by using the ISS as a reflector Frank DH7FB and I decided to try that as well. From Peter's experience (and also Frank's when SWLing Peter's tries) we believed it would be worthwile considering BPSK63 as this would enable us to exchange all information within few seconds only (using the EME report and QSO rules). However with the first tries on 8 December we quickly had to realise the amazingly quickly changing large doppler makes use of this mode impossible and we returned back to good old CW since this is also copyable at such a situation when you are not 100% tuned on the signal. The second try today Sunday 9 December at ISS orbit 51845 starting with a common window at 1626Z we copied signals at elevations of > 20 degrees and within a minute exchanged all data. Signal reports were about S3...S5 (DF2ZC running only 300 watts out). It was a tough task to follow the quick doppler changes and also adjust elevation and azimuth rotators. Two hands is at least one too few... That was a thrill! And now we are celebrating... And we will try more QSOs the coming days. btw http://www.n2yo.com/ gives a nice live google earth graphics display of ISS and other satellites. vy 73 Bernd DF2ZC (JO30RN) www.df2zc.de ____________________________________________ 144 MHz EME NewsLetter: www.df2zc.de/newsletter 144 MHz DXCC #21 144 MHz WAC Kenwood TS 2000 2 x GU74b by LZ2US 4 x 2M18XXX 21 dBd full elevation _______________________________________________ Moon-Net posting and subscription instructions are at http://www.nlsa.com/nets/moon-net-help.html ------- End of Forwarded Message -------

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Re: Phase 5
by John Marranca, Jr 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

Drew: Point taken. I have seen it on the AMSAT-DL website. One can only wonder why. As a VP of AMSAT-NA, what are your feelings about it? I'm not trying to be a trouble-maker. I'm sure any of these projects has valuable technical merit. It just seems as though a satellite organization would place an emphasis on building satellites to communicate. If I offended you, I apologize whole-heartedly. 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: Phase 5
by Andrew Glasbrenner 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

No worries here John. You'll have to do much better to offend me ;-). My earlier message was terse only because I was on the way out the door headed to work. As far as Phase 5 goes, personally, I think it is a project with lofty goals, but one that lies outside of the stated mission of AMSAT-NA. Phase 3E is however within our mission statement, which is why AMSAT-NA has supported them monetarily two years in a row (along with AMSAT-UK). For those AMSAT-NA members (or non-members) who support P3E first, have you contributed your P3E earmarked donation yet? You can contribute either directly to AMSAT-DL (with no tax benefit), or to AMSAT-NA with the tax-benefit. You can also donate funds for Eagle, ARISS, Phase 4, or Education at the AMSAT-NA site. Just go here: http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php or http://www.amsat-dl.org//index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=125 In order for any of these projects to fly, we all have to support them as individuals by donating our time and money. Everyone has to help bring in new members (including joining themselves!), spread the word on our projects and goals, and in general promote AMSAT whenever you can. 73, Drew KO4MA > >Drew: > >Point taken. I have seen it on the AMSAT-DL website. One can only wonder >why. > >As a VP of AMSAT-NA, what are your feelings about it? I'm not trying to be >a trouble-maker. I'm sure any of these projects has valuable technical >merit. It just seems as though a satellite organization would place an >emphasis on building satellites to communicate. > >If I offended you, I apologize whole-heartedly. > >John KB2HSH > >-- >_______________________________ > > >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

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Helix
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

Commercial: www.wimo.com Wimo antennas can be purchased through http://www.ssbusa.com Homebrew: Very good sites: http://ve2zaz.net/ also http://members.aol.com/k5oe/index.htm select Home Brew Hardware Picture Alblum at lower left of page. If I can assist in any way, please email. Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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Re: Putting Thr Cart Befor The Horse
by Keith N4ZQ 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

I concur. And from what I've seen at the AMSAT Symposium and Forums at hamfests, there aren't many of us that will be around to use these future dreams. Lets get real and help get P3E built and launched ASAP... Keith N4ZQ -- "Fred A Parker" <fparker(a)paulbunyan.net> wrote: After receiving a mailing today from Amsat written by Richard Hambly. I find it imposable to keep quite any longer. Has anyone heard of the saying, putting the cart before the horse. Amsat needs to finish at least one of there present projects before moving on to what in the end may well turn out to be a bunch of pipe dreams. I am speaking of the Mars mission and Geostationary packages. One year ago I was told that Cubesat II would be launched in the fall of 2007. As far as I know very little is done yet. Especially in the electronics end. Don't get me wrong all these ideas are great but lets get back to the basics and finish what we have started befor taking on anything new or nothing will get done. Fred KF0AK _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Boost your business with a small business loan. Click now! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4ukVv0fva6MdaRDTsBi08d…

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Helix and pre-amp
by Andrew Rich 11 Dec '07

11 Dec '07

I am keen to hear from others that may have added a pre-amp to a helix. Does it help ? I have made a 9 turn on 70cm - thinking of going to 16 turns. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Re: RS14/Oscar 21
by John Marranca, Jr 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

Thanks for the input, Drew. You are correct in suggesting that new satellites be built. In taking a count this morning, it seems that the number of "normally and regularly operating" satellites is dwindling. I count 3 FM satellites, 2 linear transponders, and 4 APRS/PacSats...with one that will be re-entering, one that will be hibernating, one that isn't consistent, and one that is still a bloody mystery to me (GO-32)...hihi. If I missed any, then I will stand as corrected...but it seems as though there there used to be many more birds to choose from. Another super-satellite such as what AO-40 should have been would be nice, but let's face it: they are really expensive and perhaps a bit too complicated. Instead of one monster satellite, why not build many smaller ones? Less sophisticated ones? Perhaps 2 FM sats(with 2 simultaneous channels rather than one), 2 linear sats, and 2 APRS or PacSats...and build into them modes that are commonly used...such as Mode B or Mode J. Sure, Mode L and S sound fun, but how many satellite operators even HAVE the gear for these more exotic modes? It is my opinion, and I respect all opinions and points of view pertaining to this, that the "super-satellite" be saved for the Phase 4/Geo-sync bird. In the interim, I think we need simple satellites that work. 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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Question re Henry 3004A Amplifier
by Farrell Winder 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

Would be pleased to have a reply from anyone using a Henry 3004A amp with an 8877 tube operating at 439.25MHz for ATV. Am particularily interted in stability when used well within the power limits of this amp. If any comments pse reply to me direct. Thanks, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF.

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UISS and UI-View32
by Mineo Wakita 10 Dec '07

10 Dec '07

We built how to use UISS (None-TNC) for APRS satellite. UISS setting for APRS Satellite http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/uissagwp.htm UISS and UI-View32 http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/uissui32.htm de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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