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

Genesat output power ?
by Andrew Rich 09 Dec '07

09 Dec '07

Does anyone know what the output power of GENESAT-1 is ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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USPS stamps for satellite enthusiasts
by Dr. Jay Garlitz 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

Just an FYI: US SMSAT members may want to pick up three sheets of 41c stamps for your mailing needs. One sheet has two stamps in a total quantity of 20 with a graphics of the aurora australis and aurora borealis (their spelling); another sheet is Yoda of Star Wars fame; and a third sheet is of all many of the Star Wars characters in an attractive collectable display. They also make nice holiday gifts for the hams you appreciate the most! Jay, AA4FL

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Re: RS14/Oscar 21
by Andrew Glasbrenner 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

RS-14/AO-21 was not a satellite per say, but a package on a larger Russian satellite known as Informator 1. As I understand it, when the Russians were done with the satellite, they shut it down, which killed the amateur packages. Basically, it was beyond the amateur package owner's control, which was -not- AMSAT-NA by the way. I agree though, it'd be nice if it was still around, along with every other satellite we have lost. RIP AO-10, AO-13, AO-40, SO-35, RS10/11 and 12/13 especially! It just goes to show that satellites are of a finite lifespan, and we must continue to build and launch to stay in the satellite business. 73, Drew KO4MA -----Original Message----- >From: "John Marranca, Jr" <KB2HSH(a)amsat.org> >Sent: Dec 8, 2007 9:53 AM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] RS14/Oscar 21 > >According to the AMSAT Satellite Status page, RS-14/Oscar 21 was "switched >off". > >Several things perplex me about that particular statement. > >Firstly...I understand the economic idea of not being able to afford >something. When it is swtiched off, is it a FOREVER one way switch...or is >it similar to when a FAX machine sleeps...and wakes upon hearing a CNG tone? > >If it can be revived, why hasn't it? If it could, is it a situation that >could be lobbied for...? AMSAT cites that it was too expensive to >maintain. Fine. How about tranferring ground control to another entity. > > >The only reason I'm curious about it is because I fondly remember how WELL >RS14/Oscar 21 worked on simple equipment. I had an Alinco DJ-120 and a >Radio Shack scanner in college that worked pretty well with this bird the >few times I got to play with it while it wa "ON". > >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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70 cm Turnstile
by GARY ELLIOT 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

Morning Group Does anyone know if N4QH is still in business and making the 2m and 70cm Turnstile antennas ? I do not find any reference on Google or in QST. Gary

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Re: Where can I buy pre-made feedline?
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

This has probably already been mentioned due to the many replies that have been on the BB about this subject. Cable Experts @ www.cablexperts.com offers lengths of cable with the connectors installed. I ordered four 1ft. lengths of 9913 with N connectors installed for a power divider and was very pleased with the results. 73, Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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RS14/Oscar 21
by John Marranca, Jr 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

According to the AMSAT Satellite Status page, RS-14/Oscar 21 was "switched off". Several things perplex me about that particular statement. Firstly...I understand the economic idea of not being able to afford something. When it is swtiched off, is it a FOREVER one way switch...or is it similar to when a FAX machine sleeps...and wakes upon hearing a CNG tone? If it can be revived, why hasn't it? If it could, is it a situation that could be lobbied for...? AMSAT cites that it was too expensive to maintain. Fine. How about tranferring ground control to another entity. The only reason I'm curious about it is because I fondly remember how WELL RS14/Oscar 21 worked on simple equipment. I had an Alinco DJ-120 and a Radio Shack scanner in college that worked pretty well with this bird the few times I got to play with it while it wa "ON". 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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Forming wire loops
by Andrew Rich 08 Dec '07

08 Dec '07

I am looking for ideas to help form wire loops from wire that is already of larger diamater. I was thinking of making up a base board with some pulley wheels and feed the wire in. As it goes over the pulleys, a gentle pressure is applied and helps bend the wire into a smaller coil. I tried a bucket and failed misserably. Ideas ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Where can I buy pre-made feedline?
by Rick Mann 07 Dec '07

07 Dec '07

I'd like Belden 9913 with PL-259 connectors pre-attached, 50'. Ham Radio Outlet (every store) is out of this, and so they sold me 50' bulk cable and connectors. I have been trying VERY unsuccessfully to solder these, but I am unable to do it. I can sold 0603 SMT resistors and 0.5 mm pitch TQFPs, but not this. I have tried multiple techniques. I am no longer interested in trying to solder this. Google has been less than helpful in finding online stores. Can someone point me to a reputable online retailer who can ship this to me immediately? Thank you! -- Rick

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AO-16 and warbler
by Mike Rupprecht 07 Dec '07

07 Dec '07

All, just decoded AO-16 MBL telemetry with Warbler (center frequency 1600 Hz). Good job, Wouter J [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] fm PACSAT-0 to MBLCTL-0 ctl UI pid f0 54 7A 65 00 FCS: OK [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 00 00 [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 01 84 [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 02 77 [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 03 7F [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 04 A1 [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 05 DC [Fri Dec 07 20:06:21 CET 2007] *** Short Frame: 06 DA . and analyzed the KISS file with ao16mbl.exe PACSAT MBL Telemetry Decoder (c) Mike Rupprecht, DK3WN ======================================================== (average values) +10V Battery Bus : 0,81 mA Battery Charge Reg : 0,81 mA Base Temp : 29,16 mA PSK RF Out : 1,82mA +5V RX Bus : 4,90 mA +8.5V RX Bus : 8,51 mA +10V RX Bus : 10,89 mA 73, Mike DK3WN

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Re: QUAGI vs HELIX vs QUAD
by John Mock KD6PAG 07 Dec '07

07 Dec '07

In some ways, it depends on which satellites one is talking about for this comparison to be that meaningful in terms of types of antennae. If i've figured things properly, comparing an RHCP helix against a linearly polarized Quagi is likely to get you a 3dB difference if the satellite is RHCP. Even if the satellite is linearly polarized, on an AZ-EL mount, RHCP may still be the winner, as my experience on an Arrow- equivalent antenna is that linear polarization tends to change from the beginning of a pass through the end (especially on AO-27). I figure about half of time on the average, the linearly polarized antenna is going have mismatched polarization. A better comparison would be a RHCP Helix against an RHCP Quagi. I have misplaced my copy of the article, but i think the article that inspired the antenna system that i built was based on the QST January 1990 article "Circularly Polarized Quagi Antennas for Space Communications". The drive loop is fed on two adjacent corners to obtain circular polarization. I modeled and then built a phased pair of quagi. The phasing harness had lots of coax in it, but the rest was fairly straightforward. http://www.qsl.net/kd6pag/nec/q436-5cp1q.html The modeled gain was 17dBc, and whether i believe that or not, what i do know is that i was able to work AO-40 QRP near apogee.with that antenna, not long before AO-40 went silent. I had also built a long helix out of copper tubing, but didn't really test it adequately. It was a bit heavy and rather unwieldy by comparison. -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)

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