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

antenna construction
by john heath 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Hi Juast wanted to post a Thank you to Martin oz1tmm for the http://dk7zb.fox28.de site.Well worth keping in your favourites folder. The home brew 2m & 70cm yagi's look very good, and use easily available materials. 73 John g7hia

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Hamfest
by Robert Davies 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Another great hamfets, The Highlands County Florida Hamfest! not so good for fm passes. I need to get an ft-817. Anyone have one they may want to part with? Thanks for the help Drew. 73 Rob -- KI4HXT EL97af Robert Davies AMSAT Area Coordinator AMSAT Member#35649 AMSAT President's Club Bronze Sustaining Donor IFC#2880

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Re: Using ANDE / RAFT With AGWPE & AGWTERM
by Bob Bruninga 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

> Is anyone using these programs to connect to ande/raft? You ar not supposed to CONNECT to either satellite. They are simple digipeaters and so you transmit unproto UI packets (APRS), and they relay them. > I am 100% sure I have connected to both sats... You should never connect to ANDE. There is nothing to "connect to". RAFT however has the voice system enabled and someone DOES have to send a CONNECT RAFT packet to turn the voice on for each pass. But the TX packet CONNECT RAFT is all that is required. YOu do not need an ACK and you do not need to remain connected. Please see the operating commands on the RAFT OPS web page (google for RAFT OPS) >, however, I cannot decode the connect return packet. See above, you do not need to. Nothing gained. > usually. After a min or so, I see that I am connected. You do not need a complete connection. RAFT only has to decode a single CONNECT RAFT packet to turn on the voice. As soon as you hear the voice, you are done. > Then when sending the talk command ( im not even sure im > doing it right ) I get no responce from ths sats. Please see the RAFT OPS web page. You do -not- send anything in connected mode. the TALK packets have to be sent in standard APRS or UI packets. Then it will speak them. > Basically I need some beginer help with these digi sats. Welcome to ANDE and RAFT! SO far, I have operated VOICE on every pass (that is agbove 20 deg from my location) but have only seen one other person on so far! Just remember, that only the CONNECT RAFT packet is required to activate voice for 5 minutes, then ANYONE (except you) can send a UI APRS message to TALK and it will be spoken. If you also want to send UI packets, you have to DISCONECT (but without RAFT hearing you disconnect) and then you also can send UI talk messages. If RAFT hears you disconnect, then it will shut off the VOICE too. Best way to disconnect is to quickly QSY 20 KHz, then ^C to your commmand prompt (cmd:) then hit D <ENTER> twice. This will force a disconnect without having to wait for the other end. Then QSY back to the channel and now you can send TALK messages like everyone else. Hope that helps. Bob, Wb4APR -Steve Raas

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AO-51 Not heard
by Chris Maness 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

I live in DM14, and was expecting a pass at 03:07GMT. I didn't hear anything. This seems strange as I have always heard traffic on the bird this time at night. Is it still in mode J FM now? 145.920 PL 67.0 435.300 Thanks, Chris Maness KQ6UP

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Using ANDE / RAFT With AGWPE & AGWTERM
by sraas＠optonline.net 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

Good Evening, Is anyone using these programs to connect to ande/raft? I am 100% sure I have connected to both sats, however, I cannot decode the connect return packet usually. After a min or so, I see that I am connected. Then when sending the talk command ( im not even sure im doing it right ) I get no responce from ths sats. Basically I need some beginer help with these digi sats. -Steve Raas N2JDQ

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Teamspeak session for HPSDR
by Scott Cowling 17 Feb '07

17 Feb '07

Reminder! Earlier this week, TAPR announced production of Ozy and Janus Boards for the High Performance Software Defined Radio (HPSDR) project. We wanted to remind you to show your interest before the cutoff date of February 20 at 0200 UTC. We are doing a single high-volume build, and it is uncertain when the next one will be, or if there will even be a next one. This is a very exciting project, and we don't want anyone to be left out. You are invited to join us in a Teamspeak session on Saturday, Feb 17 at 1800 UTC for an HPSDR Town Meeting. Teamspeak is a voice chat session; all you need to participate is a PC sound card with speakers and a microphone. (You can just listen without the microphone.) Directions for downloading the software and setting it up are here: <http://hpsdr.org/teamspeak.html>http://hpsdr.org/teamspeak.html Here is the information necessary for you to sign up for Ozy and Janus boards: Go to: <http://www.hamsdr.com/>HTTP://www.hamsdr.com Login and go to Projects > TAPR-HPSDR and follow instructions provided on that page. Here are some useful links: What is HPSDR? <http://hpsdr.org/>http://hpsdr.org What is an Ozy? <http://hpsdr.org/ozy.html>http://hpsdr.org/ozy.html What is a Janus? <http://hpsdr.org/janus.html>http://hpsdr.org/janus.html There are many other HPSDR projects in design and testing; most will require the Janus and Ozy boards. Hope to hear you on Saturday!

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AO-51 sat VS US military operations
by Luc Leblanc 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

On 14 Feb 2007 at 0:00, Andrew Glasbrenner wrote: > Luc, > > Your research is faulty. This information below is not the same Falconsat as the USAFA satellite I mentioned: Here is a link where the falconsats are depicted: http://space.skyrocket.de/index_frame.htm?http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sda… consat-3.htm I respecfully submit to your attention theses sats are Military satellite made by, launch by, and controlled by military (even cadets). Here is the mission and payloads of the Falconsats Falcon gold Falcon Gold was an US Air Force Academy experiment to demonstrate use of GPS navigation in orbits above the Navstar constellation. The instrument package was bolted to the Centaur-2A stage of an Atlas-2A, which launched the DSCS-3 B13 satellite. All systems operated nominally during the successful mission until primary battery power on the spacecraft was depleted. Cadets participated in all phases of the mission including systems design, fabrication, launch vehicle integration, qualification testing, launch site operations, and mission operations. FalconSat 1 The first free-flying Academy satellite, FalconSat-1 carried the CHAWS (Charging Hazards and Wake Studies) experiment developed by the Physics Department at the Academy. The launch was successful and the satellite was deployed into its orbit without problems. However, the following weeks, cadets working in the Academy ground station struggled to bring the satellite totally on-line. Initial communication contacts with the satellite went well, but during subsequent it became apparent that the spacecraft's power system was not functioning correctly to properly charge the batteries during daylight. Unfortunately, after about 1 month, the mission was satellite the mission was terminated. While FalconSAT-1 was a technical failure, it was a resounding academic success. Cadets participated in all phases of the mission from conceptual design though assembly, integration, testing, launch and on-orbit operations. FalconSat 2 The mission of the FalconSat-2 will be to measure space plasma phenomena that are known to adversely affect space-based communication, such as the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), and other civil and military communications. Originally planned to be deployed from a Shuttle mission, it has been moved to a dedicated launch on the maiden flight of the Falcon-1 rocket. FalconSat 3 FalconSAT-3, is a 50 kg microsatellite being developed by faculty and cadets, and is the Air Force Academy´s first attempt at achieving three axis attitude determination and control (ADCS). FalconSAT-3 will carry three payloads to conduct DoD research. The attitude requirements for FalconSAT-3 include pointing the satellite within +/- five degrees of ram direction, as well as attitude knowledge to within one degree. FalconSAT-3 will provide sophisticated characterization of plasma turbulence in the F region ionosphere. Significant advances in technology have enabled miniaturization of instruments that enable comprehensive measurements of both ambient and spacecraft-specific turbulence. The three primary experiments include * the Flat Plasma Spectrometer (FLAPS), a planar electrostatic analyzer used to measure ion spectra differential in energy with a DE/E ~ 4%; * the Plasma Local Anomalous Noise Environment (PLANE) experiment, a bifurcated retarding potential analyzer capable of distinguishing between ambient and spacecraft-induced turbulence; and * the Micro-Propulsion Attitude Control System (MPACS), consisting of a set of Teflon-fueled pulsed plasma thrusters used to stabilize satellite attitude. The FalconSAT-3 satellite bus is custom fabricated at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) and is manifested for launch into a 35° inclination, 560 km circular orbit in late 2006. Satellite operations will be managed from the USAFA ground station. Complementary ground-based observations of the ionosphere will be taken both at USAFA and at remote locations at low magnetic latitudes, where equatorial ionospheric processes are particularly effective at stimulating plasma turbulence. You are right about the FALCONSAT NSSDC ID: 2000-004D Other Names* 26064 As you not quote FalconSat 3 you confirm that FalonSat 3 is a military satellite. There is some military spy satellite and some "science" military satellite, My point is why AMSAT-NA is helping the US air force with an amateur radio satellite? If you read carefully i wrote "Did AMSAT-NA will condemned military endeavour or support it?" I never say it was an AMSAT-NA project "hopefully" . You wrote " please be patient as we cooperate with our friends at the USAFA" Placing AO-51 an AMSAT-NA amateur satellite in a configuration to help "our friends at the USAFA" just make me ask again "Did AMSAT-NA will condemned military endeavour or support it?". I never speak about any conspiracy but as you raised the subject could be an AMSAT-NA official can also do his homework and tell us how they let an amateur radio satellite involved in a military conducted business? If you feel pointed out it's probably because the shoe fits! Otherwise you will never come up with you hollow post where you don't even give us a glimpse of an answer about my questions. Set aside the good old volunteer saga and their time spent that we all know and that we admire and just focus your attention on this part of you post "badgering by the likes of you may deprive hams from the use of a fine satellite." Reads if you don't let us do what we want and you don't shut your /x%6 mouth you will don't get this satellite! That's what i wrote "driven by any floating interest who probably blackmailed them "AGAIN" note the "AGAIN" and change the "them" for "us". Just an historical note. There was a bunch of rocket scientist in Peenemünde who from 1936 to 1943 where making also scientific rocket search and test and you probably know also their final product! the V-1 and V-2 rocket. AMSAT-NA should not be involved with any military testing or actions nor letting an IARU/ITU OSCAR satellite be used to help an armed forces wing. I suggest a former letter of protest should be sent to the IARU condemning this military satellite use. P.S. If my home work is not correct this time don't hesitate to correct me! "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Amsat Awards
by Carles 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

I want to congratulate to Bruce Paige KK5DO , Director of Contests and Awards , by its effectiveness and great work. EB3SA ex: eb3fym -- Carles Roy eb3fym(a)radioaficionats.cat www.radioaficionats.cat/eb3fym

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Office Closed
by MARTHA SARAGOVITZ 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

This is a reminder that the AMSAT Office will be closed on Monday, February 19th in observance of Presidents' Day. Martha AMSAT Manager

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Invitation to Big-Dish EME Project
by Mikio_Mouri 16 Feb '07

16 Feb '07

Dear Satellite friends, You may be interested in having EME QSO with your antenna and rigs! A Japanese EME group is, with many organizations (including us), setting up 32m-Dish EME station in Ibaragi, Japan. Target is to QRV 144MHz, 432MHz, 1296MHz and 5.6GHz from 23 Feb to 24 March at possible windows. Please check his home page and you will find its progress: http://8n1eme.jp/modules/news/ Thank you for your interest and support. Best regards, JA3GEP, Mikio Mouri, JAMSAT

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