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

Re: Petition to block Luc from the -bb
by Dave Guimont 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

>Finally, if freedom of expression is not valid here, please let me know. > >Gary Memory, N7BRJ Very good, Gary, but I doubt that those making those untoward statements have the common sense to understand what you are talking about... I NEVER heard that kind of stuff uttered when we were communicating strictly by satellite, since Oscar 7 for me, and it took quite a long time for them to come out of the woodwork....and they all eventually crawl back, right where they belong... I HOPE WE ALL CONTINUE TO BE ABLE TO EXPRESS OUR OPINIONS HERE, and do just that ....Keep 'em coming Luc, I may disagree with you, but you'll get any negative messages in private... Then the three wars, in which I got shot at , will not be in vain.... Now here's your chance to get a shot at me....my shoulders are broad... 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E... -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.441 / Virus Database: 268.18.2/692 - Release Date: 2/18/2007

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Phase 3 E delay
by N2OEQ＠aceweb.com 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Greetings from pat Could someone please explain IF P3E was delayed for another 2 years OR is it just due to actual construction issues. I was Pleased to see the germans were smart enough to use existing proven designs and william Liejaniers transponder ( his on HAMSAT is fantastic). I just bought a radio for P3E before I heard about the delay. I can, however, still use it for others. It was very generous of other amsats to donate the money to amsat-dl but there has to be a conclusion sometime. Keep It Simple Silly! I'm not ungrateful, I appreciate all AMSAT has done for the hobby! On another note, a million thanks to the folks working on the new operating software for ECHO. I think its pretty cool that it can be done. Gotta love the geeks! take care, pat

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... US military operations [slightly OT]
by John Mock KD6PAG 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

As i understand it, AMSAT is NOT a political organization. While i am deeply concerned by the actions of the US military, i do know who are the 'Commander and Chief' is; and i also recognize that the US military is, by necessity, a very diverse organization. I would not like to think of where amateur satellites would be without cooperation with the US and Russian military. For a very recent example, i'm not sure we'd have international APRS. The military is capable of good science and, alas in the 'States, outside of universities nd colleges, one of the few places where good science is still being actively funded. In my town, we have demonstrations on the main street every Friday (with representatatives from both sides). I think that is an appropriate forum for discussion of actions of the US Military. So is the US Congress, as well as the newspapers, streets and public assemblies inplaces throughout the world. In my opinion, the AMSAT-BB is not. Respectivefully submitted, -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) P.S. I will be in CM99 this long weekend on available J-FM satellites if anyone needs it.

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Re: NO MILITARY COOPERATION ON AO-51
by KA2AEV＠aol.com 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

In a message dated 2/18/2007 3:36:40 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, lucleblanc6(a)videotron.ca writes: The link: _http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse_ (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abu_Ghraib_torture_and_prisoner_abuse) Can someone truely and simply explain to me what this crap has to do with Satellite communication by Radio Amateurs? Someone stepped over the line Mike KA2AEV FDNY All Gave Some 9-11-01 Some Gave All

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POSAT Status?
by Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Greetings All! A year or so ago, I had an exchange with one of the senior AMSAT-UK folks about the eventual turnover of POSAT to full Amateur use. At the time, I believe they were having some (legal) difficulties in getting that to happen. The latest satellite status bulletin here on AMSAT.ORG lists POSAT as "currently not open for amateur use" but that it "should return to amateur operation in the future." Does anyone have the latest status on this issue? I'm not complaining, just asking. 73, Keith Baker KB1SF / VA3KSF

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AO-51 update 2/18/2007
by Andrew Glasbrenner 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

The satellite is almost reloaded, and the repeater is back on. There may be instances where the repeater is shut off on a pass over the command station for the next few days, to allow a higher downlink power on the digital side. This will allow the command stations to finish the uploads more quickly. After a few more pieces of software are loaded, we will begin testing everything. Things may be chaotic for a bit so please bear with us as we make these improvements. Some of the upgrades to be tested include: 1) An automatic mode changing scheduler that will allow for unattended mode switches at a predetermined time and date. This will be a big relief for the command team, as they will not have to be at the controls for every single mode change on the schedule. 2) A upgraded PL system that works like this: The repeater downlink transmitter will normally be off to conserve power. When a signal with a valid PL tone is heard on the uplink, the repeater will power up, and switch to no PL required for x amount of minutes. x has yet to be determined. After x minutes, the transmitter will shut down and return to a standby state for a valid PL. This will allow us to use the PL to conserve power and not have the 'logjam' effect that came with the past PL scheme. We will also be able to identify intruders to our satellite band while over areas with active users. 3) Automatic power control that will increase the downlink power when the batteries are charged and there is power to spare. Exact values will be determined during upcoming testing. There were also at least twice as many changes made that related to internal housekeeping, telemetry, and command and control. Some of these will be made public, and some will not for obvious reasons (command and control). I'm very proud of the great job the entire AO-51 team has done on this set of upgrades over the past 4 months, and wish to personally thank Mike KE4AZN, Jim WD0E, and Gould WA4SXM for their hard work. Just a little while longer and we'll be back to normal operations. 73, Drew Glasbrenner KO4MA AMSAT-NA VP Operations

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Re: Petition to block Luc from the -bb
by gmemory＠compuserve.com 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

As much as I too feel his comments are sometimes ill timed junque.....I also perceive a difference of language and other cultural differences. I cannot tell you have many times I've wanted to tell this entire AMSAT group to get lost. You mention Luc as one example.....there are many others out there on this list who feel nothing of putting a person down form making a well intended comment, or who feel their knowlege is so superior that the person needing help is put down into the dirt. It is not entirely unusual to read an idiotic posting from someone in the "management" chain of AMSAT. How about years ago when the great master James told someone to leave AMSAT or that we would be better of without him. Finally, if freedom of expresson is not valid here, please let me know. Gary Memory, N7BRJ Original Message: ----------------- From: Robert Davies ki4hxt(a)amsat.org Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 21:06:05 -0500 To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Subject: [amsat-bb] Petition to block Luc from the -bb I propose that all who are tired of this individual poisoning what is otherwise a peaceful and productive environment with his abusive and slanderous posts against an organization that I for one am proud to be part of and will continue to support. Sign this petition or make it be known in some fashion that you are tired of this kind of behavior and that Luc Leblanc VE2DWE be blocked from the AMSAT and all affiliated -bb systems. To compare the US Air Force Academy and AMSAT to the NAZI V-1 and V-2 rockets is ludicrous. 1.Robert Davies -- KI4HXT EL97af Robert Davies AMSAT Area Coordinator AMSAT Member#35649 AMSAT President's Club Bronze Sustaining Donor IFC#2880 _______________________________________________ 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------- myhosting.com - Premium Microsoft® Windows® and Linux web and application hosting - http://link.myhosting.com/myhosting

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My first Posit via PCSAT for a long time
by Robert Bruninga 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Yes, PCSAT-1 is working great. I was driving through Tennessee on Friday, and saw a PCSAT-11 packet on the normal North Americal 144.39 frequency and so I quickly QSY'ed to 145.825 and in my mobile with a magmount, my D700 radio captured 12 stations via PCSAT-1 and 10 messages/bulletins to the radio front panel. PCSAT-1 has a 1 minute beacon on 144.39 over North America so that people in low-QRM areas might see when PCSAT is in view for just this purpose. There is no 144.39 uplink, of course, since all the satellite would hear is 10,000 jammed packets in space. Later, I just left my radio on overnight on 145.825 and captured similarly a dozen stations. (Be sure to set your RANGE limit back to 0, or the D700 will ignore all packets coming from too far away...)... De WB4APR, Bob > On Behalf Of Ian Mills > Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 8:26 PM > > Well, I was pleasantly surprised this afternoon as I managed > quite easily to have my position received via PCSAT. > I drive two hours to and from work and I have been monitoring > PCSAT... so I fired off my position via a THD-7 into a 30w > amp attached to a 1/4 wave rod antenna on my car. > ...the following from findu confirms I got through: > > VK2HIM-7>S4T3W2,PCSAT-1*,WIDE2-2,qAo,VK3JTM-5:`NM_!6>/>"3w} > VK2HIM-7>S4T4V8,PCSAT-1,VK7HSE-1,VK7RAD,WIDE2*,qAo,VK7HDM-12:` > NM @5>/>"4.}On UHF repeater > VK2HIM-7>S4T4X1,PCSAT-1,VK7HSE-1,VK7RAD,WIDE2*,qAo,VK7HDM-12:` > NMKnf~>/>"4:} > > The last time I tried was over a year ago and I didn't have > any trouble then either, and this was using the 5W THd7 > without a 30w amp!! > > Cheers > Ian > vk2him > AWA Limited > _______________________________________________ > Ozaprs mailing list > Ozaprs(a)aprs.net.au > http://aprs.net.au/mailman/listinfo/ozaprs >

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Two more FCAL packets
by mcguire＠stensat.org 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

I've installed a 10dB amp at the antenna. Hopefully that will help with the feedline losses. When the artic tundra thaws, I'll see about installing a less-temporary feedline. Jim3 KB3MPL 2007feb16 23:31 EST 1:Fm KD4HBO To TELEM Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[xx:xx:xx] Analog 000400F600F900DA00A800FD00DE0012 N 0000001E 2007feb17 23:47 EST 1:Fm KD4HBO To TELEM Via TELEM <UI pid=F0 Len=57 >[xx:xx:xx] Analog 000F00F700EB00DB00AC00FF00DC000A N 0000001E

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Sporadic XMIT Issues with SO-50
by sraas＠optonline.net 18 Feb '07

18 Feb '07

Has any one been experiencing very odd behaviours from SO-50? It seems that the Downlink is acting rather funny.. a FQ downlink turns to nothing.. dead for anywhere from 4-15 seconds.. and back again.. I have only noticed this when the sat was eclipsed.. I havent been on it in sunlight. Its not doppler either.. the Downlink like I said before just POOF .. gone. -Steve Raas N2JDQ FN20vg

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