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

Helix vs. Loopers
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 09 May '07

09 May '07

Steve, Don't forget to look at WiMo at: www.wimo.com which has a complete line of helix antennas. WiMo antennas are sold by SSB Electronic USA at www.ssbusa.com along with many other brands of UHF and satellite antennas. Mike K9QHO 33589

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helix vs. Loop
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 09 May '07

09 May '07

Clare's (VE3NPC) helix article in the AMSAT Journal (May-June 2006) is to me one of the best researched and best written articles on helix antennas. Of the many questions researched, It deals with the turns vs. gain and PVC usage questions in which everyone seemed to have a varying opinion. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type antenna Here are some helix info websites. 1.http://www.qsl.net/ve3cvg/antennas/ Good antenna website plus 2400 MHz helix. 2.http://www3.sympatico.ca/b.zauhar/ A lot of info on this page with 2400 and 435 MHz helix projects. 3.http://www.g6lvb.com/index.htm Great site! Check out quadruple helix for AO40. 4.http://members.aol.com/k5oe/ Jerry's site has a lot of useful helix data. Check out the helix projects by clicking the home brew page at left bottom. 5.http://www.electric-web.org/2m_helix_antenna.htm VK5ZAI's 2 meter helix 6.http://webpages.charter.net/n4wyk/ Click satellite website then click 2401 MHz helix at left. 7. The 2006 ARRL Handbook has a excellent "L" band helix project. 73, Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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AO-51 schedule
by Gould Smith 09 May '07

09 May '07

Hello All, We will be testing automatic mode switching on AO-51 for 2 days each week on Wed & Thur this month, except for Dayton week. The rest of the time AO-51 will be in 'normal' mode. I will do the first mode switch on an early US east coast pass between 1300-1500Z, 2 May 2007. The AO-51 schedule for May on the AMSAT web site has been updated. http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php Enjoy these modes and send comments and requests to the AO-51 Operations Group ao51-modes(a)amsat.org 73, Gould, WA4SXM AO-51 Operations Group and Command station May 2007 AO-51 (AMSAT Echo) Schedule May 1 until May 31, subject to modification Normal mode except for 2 days testing on Wed - Fri. Testing of the automatic scheduler 2 - 4 May 2007, 9 - 11 May & 23 -25 May, no change during Dayton week, to be defined mode change the last week of the month 2 May - 4 May Mode 7 Testing FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM QRP FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM 9 May - 11 May Mode 4 Testing (Field Day configuration) FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM FM Repeater, L/U Uplink: 1268.700 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.150 MHz FM 23 May - 25 May Mode 2 Testing FM Repeater, V/S Uplink: 145.880 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 2401.2 MHz FM Normal Mode FM Repeater, V/U Uplink: 145.920 MHz FM, NO PL Tone Downlink: 435.300 MHz FM 9k6 Digital, V/U, Telemetry Only Downlink: 435.150 Mhz FM, 9k6 Telemetry

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Re: seeking Antenna Info
by Bill Howell 09 May '07

09 May '07

Farrell, The following link is not for the Meyers dish, but it might be similar enough to get an understanding of the feed. http://www.qsl.net/n9zia/wireless/inside_lance.html Bill Howell N5ALO University of Texas at Austin Office of Computing Technologies

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Dayton
by Ryan Butler 09 May '07

09 May '07

For anyone going to Dayton: I'll have a KCT Tracker/Tuner ISA card with cables for an IC-821H for sale and possibly a couple of Kenpro satellite rotors. These items and more will be at spaces 4034, 4035, 4232, and 4233. Thanks Ryan, KB0JQO

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LVB Tracker builders
by Gould Smith 09 May '07

09 May '07

Howard Long, G6LVB has graciously provided his LVB Tracker (Rotor Controller) Boards for us to offer at Dayton this year. Kevin, WA6FWF has compiled a parts list for the US suppliers: JAMECO, MOUSER & DIGIKEY. These are the bare boards. These boards go between your computer using a serial or USB connector and the Yaesu 5400/5500 rotor controller box. The most common tracking software can then control your rotors to track the satellites. It took me an evening to build and test the boards. The LCD display is a nice feature that shows the current position of the rotors. The boards will allow you to program the PIC processor onboard, and Howard's software checks for a stalled rotor. I have decided to include a CD with all of the LVB documentation from Howard and the parts list from Kevin with the package. I would also like to include any helpful building hints, corrections or photos that would help those building the boards. If someone or more than one are interested in putting together a parts kit or offer to build the board for those less inclined, I will include your contact information on the disc. Please let me know by Saturday, May 12th as Dayton is quickly approaching, and I need to make the discs. 73, Gould, WA4SXM AMSAT Director Field Operations & the AMSAT Booth at Dayton

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Seeking Antenna Info
by Farrell Winder 09 May '07

09 May '07

Is anyone acquainted with the Myers SB-32DX 2.4 GHz Parabolic Antenna (Barbeque Grill structure) Specifically what is the pickup antenna structure placed at the focal point? Is it a folded dipole? It is not obvious looking at the outside cover which is sealed. My unit measures essentially an ohmic short. Is this normal? Any details appreciated. Thanks, Farrell Winder, W8ZCF, Cincinnati, Ohio

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forwarded message from VE2DWE
by Peter svoboda 08 May '07

08 May '07

Hi to all Just for the record about the AMSAT-NA "HEO" goals in 2003 VS borg cubes!!! and the military involvement. Just note there is numerous mention of an individual named Hambly, Richard M probably a coincidence for the AMSAT-NA military ties? Its interesting to know where the AMSAT-NA membership funds are redirected... A question to Mr Hambly did AMSAT-NA has separate accounts for their joigned military launch ventures? Is AMSAT-NA has ever make more than a financial contribution to a military program or could be they disguised theses contribution In IN KIND services? A bit of clarity will enlighten all the international AMSAT-NA members and contributors Proceedings of the AMSAT-NA 21st Space Symposium, Toronto, Ontario, October 17- 19, 2003. A Proposed Microsat Open Experimental Platform for Amateur Space Communications Research Making Proposed SCR-OEP Fly The proposed SCR-OEP concept is currently just that, a concept. Translating this concept in to a real, on-orbit, experimental platform is a major undertaking. The following small, first steps will provide a solid foundation for a highly successful SCR-OEP project. o Review and discussion within the amateur satellite and amateur radio communities will help refine and strengthen the SCR-OEP concept. o Evaluation, feedback, and particularly formal support by the AMSAT Board of Directors will considerably improve the likelihood of its success. o Creation of one or more research proposals will potentially help obtain funding and even a government-sponsored launch. o Further investigation of the use of amateur spectrum by licensed radio amateurs supported indirectly by Federal funds or government-sponsored launches will help ensure that this project operates consistent with international and national radio regulations. The SCR-OEP concept proposed here, combined with a tremendous amount of hard work and not a small amount of luck, could offer a means to attract new participants to the amateur satellite community and support the construction and launch of additional amateur satellites. Potential Benefits for Amateur Satellites Attracting and inspiring the next generation, developing new amateur satellite technologies, and expanding sources of support for amateur satellites are just a few of the benefits that will result from a successful SCR-OEP project. Government-Sponsored Launch Opportunities The Department of Defense (DoD) Space Test Program (STP)24 "provides spaceflight for qualified DOD sponsored experiments at no charge to the experimenter, via the DOD Space Experiments Review Board" (SERB)23. The SERB evaluates the "military relevance and technical merit" of the proposed experiments. The SERB Web site states that "DOD experiments normally originate in the Service (Army, Air Force, Navy, NASA) laboratories or research institutions (colleges, universities, think tanks, etc.) but are in no way limited to these institutions." Clearly, competition for free space launches is very intense. Nonetheless, the Naval Postgraduate School and the Air Force Academy have successfully used this process to launch their student satellites25. Certainly, the hurdles are very high and the competition is very fierce, but the potential rewards are so great that the amateur satellite community would be remiss if it didn't aggressively pursue this opportunity SCR-OEP and Amateur Spectrum The SCR-OEP will use amateur satellite spectrum and its operation will be consistent with the international and national regulations governing amateur radio and amateur satellites. Radio amateurs will be the primary users and beneficiaries of the SCR-OEP project. Many of the investigators will be licensed radio amateurs, as will be all of the satellite ground station operators. The SCR-OEP experimental platform is expected to be hosted by and help support an amateur satellite and the technologies developed by this project are likely to benefit future amateur satellites. References excerpt 5. Hambly, Richard M. "AMSAT OSCAR E: A New LEO Satellite from AMSAT-NA". The AMSAT Journal 25:3 (May/June 2002) 5-11. 6. Hambly, Richard M. "AMSAT OSCAR-E Project Status Update: A New LEO Satellite from AMSAT-NA". The AMSAT Journal 25:6 (November/December 2002) 14-17. 7. Hambly, Richard M. "AMSAT OSCAR-E Project: Summer 2003 Status Report". The AMSAT Journal 26:4 (July/August 2003) 11-14. 23. U.S. Department of Defense, DoD Space Experiments Review Board (SERB) Home Page. <http://www.safus.hq.af.mil/usa/usal/serb/index.htm>. 24. U.S. Department of Defense, Space Test Program (STP) Home page. <http://www.smcdet12.plk.af.mil/stp/stp.html>. 25. White, Jim. "Re: Re: ICBM Conversion for Civilian Launch". E-mail to AMSAT- BB. August 12, 2003. <http://www.amsat.org/amsat/archive/amsat- bb/200308/msg00351.html>. I know we are accustomed to lies up to the higher ranks! We should not be surprised that some of the AMSAT-NA BOD officers are taking their inspiration at a so good source!!! Just for the record naturally...here is the link www.saloits.com/satellites/AMSAT2003.pdf "-" "It is not the class of license the amateur holds, but the class of the amateur that holds the license." Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Forwarded message
by Peter svoboda 08 May '07

08 May '07

Hi I just forwarded Luc AMSAt-na e-mails as he's having problems getting his message through the remailer. On 8 May 2007 at 11:48, Bob McGwier wrote: > http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6634285.stm > > Bob > N4HY > > -- > Robert W. McGwier, Ph.D. > Center for Communications Research > 805 Bunn Drive > Princeton, NJ 08540 > (609)-924-4600 > Life is like duct tape it has a hard side and a light side and it holds the world together as bad news are depending on what side you are. > Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE _________________________________________________ Canada strongly represented Canada will be strongly represented at the Dayton Amsat banquet here is a part of his involvement. Banquet menu excerpt "Prince Edward Blend w/ Yellow Wax Beans, Green Beans and Baby Carrots Sugar Snap Peas w/ Red and Yellow Peppers" "-" "It is not the class of license the amateur holds, but the class of the amateur that holds the license." Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE --------------------------------- Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check outnew cars at Yahoo! Autos.

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Dayton Banquet
by MARTHA SARAGOVITZ 08 May '07

08 May '07

As of today, 209 people have registered for the AMSAT-TAPR Banquet. Remember - pick up your tickets on Friday at the AMSAT Booth. 73- Martha, AMSAT Manager

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