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

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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