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

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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