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

Delfi-C3 integration photos
by W.J. Ubbels 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

Hi all, we have started a photoblog containing photos of the Delfi-C3 satellite as it is being integrated. Regular updates can be expected as we progress with the integration. Launch is expected to be sept-oct 2007. see http://www.delfic3.nl/photoblog/ 73 Wouter Jan PE4WJ -- W.J. Ubbels MSc. Delfi-C3 project manager electronic systems and communications Faculty of Aerospace Engineering Delft University of Technology room 8.19 Kluyverweg 1 2629 HS Delft +31 (0)15-2784615 w.j.ubbels(a)delfic3.nl w.j.ubbels(a)lr.tudelft.nl www.delfic3.nl PE4WJ

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Vista and satellite tracking software
by Joel Kandel 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

Are there (1) any satellite tracking programs that are currently working properly under Vista and (2) are interfacing with controller boards to G-5500 rotors via USB ports? Thanks, Joel Kandel, KI4T

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Satellite AO-7 Mode A/B
by TOFFY 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

Hi all What time AO-7 switch to mode A? 73s de Toff HS0NNU ____________________________________________________________________________________ Boardwalk for $500? In 2007? Ha! Play Monopoly Here and Now (it's updated for today's economy) at Yahoo! Games. http://get.games.yahoo.com/proddesc?gamekey=monopolyherenow

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Re: Full band transverters for satellite operations?
by Grant Hodgson 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

The uWSDR (Microwave SDR) will not need a transverter, it will provide a transceiever operating at the frequency of interest (144, 422, 1268, 2400 etc). It will cover the whole of each band - i.e. 1240-1300MHz. Full duplex cross-band products such as L/S are planned specifically for satellite use. The hardware is still in development, but progress is being made, and software can be downloaded now and used either in simulator mode or with a Softrock. The hardware should be available long in advance of the next HEO launch. Detailed system simulations show that the RF performance will be as good as, and hopefully significantly better than, a transverter/IF combination. More details on the uWSDR website - fell free to join the project if you so desire, any extra help would be appreciated. uwsdr.berlios.de regards Grant G8UBN for the uWSDR team

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Re: FD Birds?
by George Henry 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

5 watts with an Arrow? Probably your only chance for success would be AO-51 or SO-50 in the middle of the night. AO-27 is only available on daylight passes, and the competition for ALL of the FM birds will be fierce. Someone from the ARRL, who shall remain nameless, is actually recommending as much uplink power as possible to improve one's chances, so that pretty much guarantees a mess on FM.................. George, KA3HSW -----Original Message----- >From: "James A. Carmody" <carmodyjim(a)yahoo.com> >Sent: Jun 12, 2007 11:05 PM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] FD Birds? > >Any further thoughts on the best bird for FD FM/5W with an Arrow II?? >Jim/nn5o >

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Help and advice needed
by Rolf Moberg 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

I'm planning my station. I need some advice from more experienced satellite operators. My rotator will be Yaesu G5500. 70cm antenna is 3m long helix and 2m antenna wil be 2.4m long Wimo cross yagi phased for circular polarization. I've planned to use 3m long glass fibre boom. Antennas will be attached to boom ends. They sell a boom with 40mm diameter and 2mm wall thickness. What kind of solutions you have to create more friction to the junction between antenna boom clamps and boom? And another point is where G5500 boom clamps are attached to boom center. Should I cover those four places with some metal strips? And last. 70cm flexible feeder will be installed back of the helix plate and then to the boom. 2m is a question. Should I run rg213 feeder via yagi boom to the fibre glass boom? Or should I let rg213 feeder go to the reflector end and make a loose loop towards to glass fibre boom? Rolf Moberg oh6kxl

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TM-V71A & satellites
by Jeff Yanko 15 Jun '07

15 Jun '07

Hi all! I was looking at the new Kenwood TM-V71A dual band VHF/UHF transceiver and though nothing really groundbreaking in design I couldn't find anything in particular if this rig would be capable for the FM birds like AO-51. Just wondering. Jeff WB3JFS

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Re: This comment is INSANE...
by Stephan Andre' 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

Ah, for AO-51 and not the FM birds. That makes all the difference. --STeve Andre' On Thursday 14 June 2007 16:55:04 Ford, Steve, WB8IMY wrote: > Stephan: > > I am the person at the ARRL that authored the statement in question. It > appeared in a Field Day special insert published in the June issue of QST. > > The statement is part of a section that discusses how to make a successful > Field Day contact on OSCAR 51, a satellite that presently functions as a > single-channel FM repeater. The suggestion to use as much power as > available applied to Field Day stations, not everyday operating. But more > importantly, the suggestion was intended to apply to AO-51 *only.* I would > never suggest such a practice for communicating through a linear > transponder satellite, during Field Day or at any other time. > > I apologize for any misunderstanding. > > 73 . . . Steve Ford, WB8IMY > QST Editor > > > ________________________________ > > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org on behalf of Stephan Andre' > Sent: Thu 6/14/2007 3:11 PM > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: This comment is INSANE... > > > > I would agree that the comment below is rather nuts, but it is important > to remember that this is an *unattributed statement* at the current time. > We cannot know that this was a true statement. > > I am hoping that someone connected with the ARRL can get someone > there to comment on this. Obviously this is a false statement, but I > don't believe that an ARRL official said that. If someone can produce > an actual quote thats Googled, that is different. > > Either way the ARRL really ought to make some kind of statement > about this. > > --STeve Andre' > wb8wsf en82 > > On Thursday 14 June 2007 14:37:35 Ernest Erickson wrote: > > After reading several articles posted by menbers, this > > particular line really stood out. > > > > How can someone supposedly 'responsible' make such a > > stupid comment? > > > > They obviously have no idea that more power than > > neccessary robs power from ALL users on the > > satellites. > > (snip) > > Someone from the ARRL, who shall > > > > >> > remain nameless, is actually recommending as much > > >> > uplink power as possible to improve one's > > > > chances,(/snip) > > > > This is especially true with SSB/CW transponders. > > > > This is thoughtless commenting in general, and must be > > ignored, but such a person should be informed that > > making statements such as this is NOT what we need > > from a 'reputable' organization, if indeed, it > > actually came from someone within the ARRL. > > > > Just my .02C on the subject. > > > > 73! > > > > > > Ernest A. Erickson, KA9UCE > > Applied Electronic Communications, AEC > > 10711 East Verbina Lane > > Florence, AZ. 85232 > > 520.723.0602 > > aec9823(a)yahoo.com

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Re: Monitoring the Space Suit EVA?s
by Joe Leikhim 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

These are the traditional frequencies used by the US astronauts. There was reportedly a plan to convert to digital radios in the 400 MHz range. I don't know if this ever happened. Several years back, I was able to listen to an EVA from a shuttle overflight on these frequencies. I used a discone antenna with preamplifier and an ICOM R-9000 receiver. The signal was very weak with that setup. I beleive I was able to hear analog subcarrier telemetry from a heart monitor in the suit. Frequency Mode Description 296.8000 AM Air To Ground, or Orbiter to Suit 259.7000 AM Air To Ground, or Suit to Orbiter 279.0000 AM Suit to Orbiter, or Suit to Suit 243.0000 AM Military Aircraft Emergency Frequency -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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EVA Monitoring
by john heath 14 Jun '07

14 Jun '07

Hi I can easily copy the Russian EVA's on the old MIR VHF-2 frequency 130.165 FM. I use my regular 2m yagi (5el X) and signals are strong. Check on NASA TV to see if the walkers are out. Its great fun to hear the guys chatting as they work in space. I have been told that we can't copy the USA suits because they use digital comms. If anyone has more info please post it on the bb. 73 John G7HIA

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