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

Re: L/S Mode
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Greg and I will try to make every pass available on 7/10. I have been praying to the L band gods. We'll see what happens. 10 watts-40feet hardline-40 turn helix. 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Greg D." <ko6th_greg(a)hotmail.com> > Nothing heard on the 05:10z pass. Only a 10 degree pass, but off in a > favorable direction (no trees). Downlink carrier was very weak and barely > there, if at all. Keying up on 1268 had no effect, as before, though I > doubt I would have heard anything even if it had.. > > Anybody having success? > > Greg KO6TH > > > ----Original Message Follows---- > From: "Greg D." > To: snyderb(a)cox.net, amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: L/S Mode > Date: Mon, 09 Jul 2007 20:53:55 -0700 > > Hi Bruce, > > Well something's working. I just finished the 03:30z pass here. I heard a > couple of partial calls on the 2401.200+/- ghz downlink - VE7C?? and another > partial suffix. The pass started with someone with a nice clear signal and > a Spanish/Mexican accent. There was a call sign, but I didn't catch it. > > However, I was not able to get into the bird myself on 1268.700 +/-. Not > even a change in static, even right after I heard an apparent full-quieting > "kerchunk". This is with my new and unproven helix antenna, so I have one > too many unknowns here to know what the problem is. I did follow the same > doppler process on the L-band uplink, and also swept the general vicinity, > so that shouldn;t have been the problem, and the pass peaked at about 50 > degrees. Nothing back from my uplink. > > Anybody else have a go at it? > > Greg KO6TH. > > > ----Original Message Follows---- > From: "Bruce" > To: > Subject: [amsat-bb] L/S Mode > Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 22:26:06 -0400 > > BB > > Either my S-Band D/L is not working or the sat never shifted into the > new > mode. Comments from the bb. > > 73 Bruce KG4YEV > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _________________________________________________________________ > http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migrati… > _mini_pcmag_0507 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > _________________________________________________________________ > http://imagine-windowslive.com/hotmail/?locale=en-us&ocid=TXT_TAGHM_migrati… > _mini_pcmag_0507 > > _______________________________________________ > 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

1 0

Newbie in the UK
by Chris Bloy 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Hi All, Are there any members in the UK, well, South Coast (Portsmouth) area belong to the list who would be willing to show me the best way to work the FM sats? Look forward to any replies.. Thanks, Chris... M0DQO UK No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.1/889 - Release Date: 06/07/2007 20:00

5 5

Re: Newbie in the UK
by Chris Bloy 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Hi John, >>I haven't seen the details yet, but the beginners stream usually runs >>in parallel with the other lectures on the Friday afternoon. I put >>the skeleton 2007 programme up on the AUK website based on what >>happened in 2006 and the details should start to appear in the next >>week or so. >> Ok, well i dont know if i will be able to get the Friday off from work, but will go on the members advise? >>I would be interested to know what email address you sent them to? >> To Jim on the Amsat uk website g3wgm(a)amsat.org? I asked him if they still have an arrow's instock and also sent one after it about the joining side and how its joining so late in the year? >>The Arrow's are produced in the US and they won't ship out of the US >>so its down to the goodness of travelers who bring them back as hand >>baggage. As such they are always in short supply and the best person >>to ask is Jim Heck (g3wgm(a)amsat.org). I wouldn't mind one myself. >> See above, do you have a home setup? I am interested in doing portable working, hence the arrow? Thanks, Chris

1 0

Re: Newbie in the UK
by Chris Bloy 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Hi Paul, Many thanks for the words of advise.. I look forward to perhaps hearing you on AO51 at some point.. Its seems a shame that the US amsat site sat status isnt more up-to-date, as I am unsure of what is correct and what isnt.. thanks, Chris -----Original Message----- From: "Paul Luggar" <luggsey(a)hotmail.com> To: "Chris Bloy" <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 18:26:59 +0100 Subject: Re: [amsat-bb] Re: Newbie in the UK Hi Chris, I just saw your post about Amsat/working sats etc. I went through it all myself and ended up self teaching myself due to the lack of good "elmering" in this area. If I can help just join my forum (Link below) and I will do what I can to answer any questions you may have. My prefrence is the LEO FM sats, all others love the SSB but there is something special about the FM LEO's for me. I'm also heavily into the APRS side of things. 73 Paul Luggar M0SCI Website WWW.M0SCI.CO.UK Amsat-UK Member 6484 www.m0sci.co.uk/forum Devon and Cornwalls Amateur Radio Message Board m0sci(a)gb7cow.#44.gbr.eu ----- Original Message ----- From: "Chris Bloy" <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Monday, July 09, 2007 5:17 PM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Newbie in the UK > Hi Howard & All, > > Many thanks to all those who replied to my plee for help both on list and > personally! > > I would like to attend this event, i have checked out the details and > wondered what the best day for me to actually come and watch these demo's? > Perhap someone could take me under there wing on such an event? > > Also, like your web site Howard.. keep up the good work! I have been a > little put off about joining AMSAT due to a couple of emails sent to the > UK > group that havent been replied to at all :( > > one was about the Arrow Antenna and if I should invest and the other was > to > join? Its a big off putting when you dont get a reply at all, hence my > message to the group.. This has really helped and its good to know you > guys > are there to support when needed.. > > All the best, > > Chris Bloy > M0DQO, FAREHAM, UK > > www.sehr.co.uk > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: "Howard Long" <howard(a)howardlong.com> > To: "'Chris Bloy'" <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk>, <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> > Date: Mon, 9 Jul 2007 09:54:52 +0100 > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Newbie in the UK > > > Hi Chris > > Did you get any help? > > There is the AMSAT Colloquium on in a couple of weeks in Guildford - > there's > lots of real live demos there. > > 73, Howard G6LVB > > -----Original Message----- > From: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:amsat-bb-bounces@amsat.org] On > Behalf Of Chris Bloy > Sent: 07 July 2007 21:21 > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Subject: [amsat-bb] Newbie in the UK > > Hi All, > > > > Are there any members in the UK, well, South Coast (Portsmouth) area > belong > to the list who would be willing to show me the best way to work the FM > sats? > > > > Look forward to any replies.. > > > > Thanks, > > > Chris... M0DQO > > UK > > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.1/889 - Release Date: 06/07/2007 > 20:00 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/891 - Release Date: 08/07/2007 > 18:32 > _______________________________________________ > 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 > -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/891 - Release Date: 08/07/2007 18:32

3 2

Re: Future radical satellite designs
by Joe Leikhim 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

I have mentioned this before and will again: Why not construct clusters of low voltage batteries each with their own set of solar cells. Then each low voltage battery ( 3 volts or so) has its own boost voltage converter to charge to a much higher voltage bus (15-24 volts). In this way, the failure or depletion of a battery will affect only the available current on the bus, not the voltage. The solar cells could then be placed on all sides of the spacecraft and charge their associated batteries at will, with no concern of having the entire solar cell array in same plane with the sun as there would be with a high voltage string of solar cells. -- 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

2 2

Re: Future radical satellite designs
by Fred A Parker 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

I am in the process of putting a group together of local amateurs to build and launch a triple Cubesat. The club will be called the Northern Lakes Amateur Satellite Organization. we have already drawn up the bylaws and a locale ham, an attorney is preparing the paper work. The website should be up in about two weeks. Our goals are to put together a single ham radio payload in a cubebesat. Have spoken to several persons in the Amsat NA origination. They have agreed to do the peer review for us. As we are week in electronics part of it. I am a retired aerospace machinist and have for the last three years been doing a lot of the mechanical work for Amsat. So the mechanical side of it will be easy for us. On the payload we have not made a final decision. Here is some of our ideas. 1: Leverage from the electronic package that is planned for Suitsat 2. This our preferred payload. As it would give us a lot of flexibility with the SDR transponder. Only problem is when is suitsat 2 going to be ready? If it is going to take to long our group may not want to wait. 2: Would be to build a transponder with hamtronics kits. Upside of this is that all parts are off the shelf and could be easily assembled in few months. Bob Bruninga has been using them for some time with success. 3: Ask someone to build us a transponder who has more experience than us. On the orbit. To me the ideal orbit would be an MEO orbit. To see what that would mean I suggest David's G0MRF http://www.g0mrf.freeserve.co.uk/MEOSAT.htm website I have seen some talk on the web that that SpaceX maybe launching cubesats into MEO. Otherwise there seems to be launch availability in LEO. Fred KF0AK

3 3

1.2 GHz antennas
by John Kopala 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Any recommendations for 1.2 GHz satellite antennas? I've been looking at a Directive Systems 2325LY as a possible choice. I was trying to find an antenna of similar size with circular polarization switchable between RHCP and LHCP. John Kopala N7JK

1 0

hi-gain antennas
by Fernandez Montaña, Juan Antonio 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

Hi Joe, I have been using these antennas for years and I did not have any problem. One of the main advantages is that they are not very heavy. You can see a comparative of CP antennas at http://eb4dka.tk , into the "archivos" carpet there are several articles in relation satellites apart form the comparative. The articles are in Spanish although you will not have any problem to understand the tables. Surely at the end of the summer the Web will be in English too. Juan Antonio EA4CYQ 73s =============================================================== Este mensaje se dirige exclusivamente a su destinatario. Los datos incluidos en el presente correo son confidenciales y sometidos a secreto profesional, especialmente en lo que respecta a los datos personales, se prohibe divulgarlos, en virtud de las leyes vigentes. Si usted no lo es y lo ha recibido por error o tiene conocimiento del mismo por cualquier motivo, le rogamos que nos lo comunique por este medio y proceda a destruirlo o borrarlo, y que en todo caso se abstenga de utilizar, reproducir, alterar, archivar o comunicar a terceros el presente mensaje y ficheros anexos, todo ello bajo pena de incurrir en responsabilidades legales. Cualquier idea contenida en este correo es exclusiva de su autor y no representa necesariamente el criterio de Iberdrola. El emisor no garantiza la integridad, rapidez o seguridad del presente correo, ni se responsabiliza de posibles perjuicios derivados de la captura, incorporaciones de virus o cualesquiera otras manipulaciones efectuadas por terceros. This message is intended for the exclusive attention of the address(es) indicated. Any information contained herein is strictly confidential and privileged, especially as regards personal data, which must not be disclosed, in accordance with legislation currently in force. If you are not the intended recipient and have received it by mistake or learn about it in any other way, please notify us by return e-mail and delete this message from your computer system. Any unauthorised use, reproduction, alteration, filing or sending of this message and/or any attached files to third parties may lead to legal proceedings being taken. Any opinion expressed herein is solely that of the author(s) and does not necessarily represent the opinion of Iberdrola. The sender does not guarantee the integrity, speed or safety of this message, not accept responsibility for any possible damage arising from the interception, incorporation of virus or any other manipulation carried out by third parties. ===============================================================

1 0

Re: Hy-Gain Yagi Antenna
by Pughkeithd＠cs.com 09 Jul '07

09 Jul '07

In a message dated 7/8/2007 10:40:06 PM Central Daylight Time, gary_mayfield(a)hotmail.com writes: > Subj: [amsat-bb] Hy-Gain Yagi Antenna > Date:7/8/2007 10:40:06 PM Central Daylight Time > From:gary_mayfield@hotmail.com > To:amsat-bb@amsat.org > Received from Internet: > > > Is anyone using these antennas? > > Hy-Gain http://www.hy-gain.com/ > UB-7030SAT > VB-216SAT > > What do you think of them? > > 73, > Joe kk0sd > Amsat 21357 > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > Joe, I have used a set of these as portable antennas for many years. The first use was for W1AW/5 the first year (1989?) we hosted the ARRL National at Ham-Com. Initial assembly was a challenge but we made it. The longest use was at the Soviet Space Exhibit in Fort Worth (1991). They were installed on top of the exhibit hall for six months and were used daily for LEOs and AO-13. They have been used for every Field Day since initial purchase and for several ARISS School Contacts (2 m only). I worked you with them on a couple of Birds this Field Day. I have used them on my portable tripod in my own back yard for several extended periods. Performance has always been good and they have withstood the partial disassembly and transportation well. The disassembly was only to shorten the booms. Elements were left in place. One of these days I will finally get around to replacing my KLMs (they have not been functional for some time) at the home QTH and the Hy-Gains will be considered along with the M2 antennas. I hope this helps. 73 - Keith, W5IU

1 0

Field Day 2007
by Bruce 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

Now that field day is over, I hope everyone that participated had as much fun as they had expected. There is just one more thing to do. Be sure to send in your results and photos. If you are going to send via email (the preferred method), I will confirm that I have received your email (give me a day or two). If you do not get the confirmation, then something happened and you should resubmit. The deadline for receiving your submission (either email or postal mail) for AMSAT Field Day is Monday, July 16, 2007 at 11:59 P.M. CDT. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on W0KIE Intelsat Americas, T1, 6.2/6.8Mhz Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

7 7

Re: Fwd: Future radical satellite designs
by Patrick McGrane 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

Hello maggie- I hate it when people snip or take things out of context. Go back to the original entire email to absorb the reason. thanks, patrick ------- Original Message ------- >From : Margaret Leber[mailto:maggie@voicenet.com] Sent : 7/8/2007 8:27:59 AM To : amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Cc : Subject : RE: [amsat-bb] Fwd: Future radical satellite designs On 7/8/07, Patrick McGrane <N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com> wrote: > Some will argue that they want continuous duty whenever the satellite is in range, day or night. > I would like to see a longer lived satellite capable of full power half the time that could > potentially last several decades in orbit. That's really insightful. So many of the birds end up operating in that mode *anyway*; what could be accomplished if we designed them that way on purpose? -- 73 de Maggie K3XS Editor, Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club Blurb - http://www.phil-mont.org Elecraft K2 #1641 -- AOPA 925383 -- ARRL 39280 By the way, inbound email is broken on the address you're using: "SMTP Error (state 13): 550 5.1.1 <Patrick.McGrane(a)aceweb.com> is not a valid mailbox" _______________________________________________ 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

4 3

Re: Future radical satellite designs
by G0MRF＠aol.com 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

In a message dated 08/07/2007 17:06:50 GMT Standard Time, N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com writes: I did read the whole thing. The challenges to amateur secondary payloads on commercial or military spacecraft have been discussed here at length in the past. *My* comment was that a standalone bird *designed* without battery-powered transmitters might be an interesting approach. Hello Patrick / Maggie / John As you all know battery failure has been the most common failure mode for AMSAT spacecraft for a very long time. Patrick's idea of solar power only will be put into practice with this falls launch of a triple cubesat Delfi3C. It has a 40kHz linear UV transponder and no batteries. - Should be very interesting. However, solar power alone has its own problems. With changing angles between the panel and the sun the voltage or perhaps more accuratly, power, will change with change in attitude. Consequently the supply could drop out frequently unless there is some form of short term storage. Certainly there would need to be some form of sequencing so that vital control electronics are given priority over heavy curent parts of the payload. Super capacitors would be a really neat experiment but I wonder how they would react if a large energetic particle pentrates the capacitor when it's holding a large charge? Perhaps OK for LEO, maybe a bit risky for HEO through the radiation belts. There could be another approach. The batteries usually go short circuit pulling all power from the solar panels to ground. Ocassionally they go open circuit....as per AO-7. but this must be a rare event. Imagine a satellite PSU which uses a battery but has a solid state relay between the battery and the satellite buss. Solid state relays have very low on resistance and only need a couple of milliamps to keep them in the on position. For 5 to 10 years the battery could supply the few milliamps required to maintain the relay in the on position. When the battery eventually fails, if it goes short circuit it pulls all the power to ground and the satellite stops working. However, at that point the relay loses its couple of milliamps 'holding current'. At this point the relay open circuits and the faulty battery is isolated from the still functioning solar panels and the satellite is restored to life.....but only in sunlight. There may be a down side to this, but if there is I cant see it. I suppose every now and again the satellite CPU could supply a few milliamps to the relay just to see if the battery has recovered. If it has it will be charged and normal operation will be restored. If not, then the supply line will get shorted to ground via the battery and then the relay will open again restoring the satellite to solar only power. Have I missed the obvious or is this a neat idea? regards David G0MRF

2 1

Re: Future radical satellite designs
by Patrick McGrane 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

hi maggie- sorry for being short with you. Thank you for the more detailed posting. For low power sleep mode or standby of control electronics, super capacitors become more practical and longer lasting than batteries. I believe someone in the group has or is experimenting with supercaps. One possible group to approach for inclusion of an auxilliary payload is NOAA since they are prolific satellite builders and have a preexisting relationship with the amateur community. Take care, pat ------- Original Message ------- >From : Margaret Leber[mailto:maggie@voicenet.com] Sent : 7/8/2007 10:05:41 AM To : amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Cc : Subject : RE: [amsat-bb] Re: Future radical satellite designs On 7/8/07, Patrick McGrane <N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com> wrote: > Hello maggie- I hate it when people snip or take things out of context. > Go back to the original entire email to absorb the reason. thanks, patrick I did read the whole thing. The challenges to amateur secondary payloads on commercial or military spacecraft have been discussed here at length in the past. *My* comment was that a standalone bird *designed* without battery-powered transmitters might be an interesting approach. As it stands now we have several birds on-orbit designed with larger battery systems (that have subsequently failed) that come up in various random control system states when they come out of eclipse. These birds only transmit when in sunlight anyway; what if we designed one that way on purpose? Now *that's* a "radical satellite design". The payload weight that would have gone to bigger batteries to power transmitters during eclipse could be used for other equipment. A smaller (more reliable? certainly simpler and cheaper) auxiliary battery system could keep the control systems alive during eclipse. A lot of work is being done with ultra-low-power processor chips for mobile applications these days. Imagine if AO-40 had used this approach (admittedly not at all in-line with the elaborate something-for-everyone AO-40 design philosophy); it might still be usable. As it is, when the complex power system failed, we lost the whole bird. And the only hope of recovering it is the outside chance that it might fail *again*. -- 73 de Maggie K3XS Editor, Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club Blurb - http://www.phil-mont.org Elecraft K2 #1641 -- AOPA 925383 -- ARRL 39280 _______________________________________________ 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

1 0

Future radical satellite designs
by Patrick McGrane 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

Greetings from Patrick N2OEQ Let me preface my comments by stating the following; The solar energy in space, outside the atmosphere, is approximately 1400 watts per square meter. This equates to about 130 watts per square foot. AO-51 ( amsat Echo ) is roughly a one foot cube covered with 27 percent efficient GaAs solar cells which cost approximately 20,000 dollars. With that efficiency and almost complete side coverage with solar cells, I would guess the satellite solar cell power conversion is about 25 to 30 watts for half the orbit time. Conservatively, that is about 300 watthours or more per day. Now, the transmitter might use 2 watts of energy to provide the 500 milliwatt downlink RF power and the satellite control electronics uses about 1 watt of energy. The Digital transmitter might use another couple of watts. For argument sake, I'll say the satellite uses 5 watts continuously for 24 hours per day or about 125 watthours per day. For some reason, it seems the full potential of the solar cells is lost or underutilized. The transmitters power is kept low to reduce the batteries depth of discharge to a minimum to extend the battery life. The point I am trying to make is that if amsat is going to pioneer new technologies in satellite design, they should keep their eye on the big picture or the basics of operation. I'm aware that people are trying to find a replacement for batteries but I would go further in saying that perhaps for future designs that amsat resort to solar dependant power output or specifically, full transmitter power directly powered by the solar cells and a sleep mode while the satellite is in darkness. >From what I have learned about satellites, batteries are the weakest link often spelling disaster and limited satellite lifetimes. I would rather enjoy a high power intermittent solar satellite for many years more than the average lifespan of one dependant on battery life and cycling. Some will argue that they want continuous duty whenever the satellite is in range, day or night. I would like to see a longer lived satellite capable of full power half the time that could potentially last several decades in orbit. Another point to ponder is the idea of asking to have auxilliary or piggyback payloads on larger commercial satellites. This was done with the russian RS satellites and more recently with India's Hamsat. The larger commercial satellites would probably have much larger and more efficient power budgets. I just read on the space.com website ( linked from amsat ) that the new Directv satellite is about 6 or 7 thousand pounds and probably utilizes the most advanced and reliable technology available. Wouldnt it be cheaper and easier to build an auxilliary payload versus an autonomous satellite? This question has probably been answered many times but I'll bring it up again. If it is a costly idea, is the additional cost justified by better, more reliable operation? Thanks for allowing this forum and thanks for all replies. 73, patrick

2 2

Fwd: Future radical satellite designs
by Margaret Leber 08 Jul '07

08 Jul '07

On 7/8/07, Patrick McGrane <N2OEQ(a)aceweb.com> wrote: > Some will argue that they want continuous duty whenever the satellite is in range, day or night. > I would like to see a longer lived satellite capable of full power half the time that could > potentially last several decades in orbit. That's really insightful. So many of the birds end up operating in that mode *anyway*; what could be accomplished if we designed them that way on purpose? -- 73 de Maggie K3XS Editor, Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club Blurb - http://www.phil-mont.org Elecraft K2 #1641 -- AOPA 925383 -- ARRL 39280 By the way, inbound email is broken on the address you're using: "SMTP Error (state 13): 550 5.1.1 <Patrick.McGrane(a)aceweb.com> is not a valid mailbox"

1 0

WTB G3RUH patch
by Andrew Glasbrenner 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

I'm in the market for a used G3RUH 2.4ghz patch antenna if anyone has one they would like to sell. 73, Drew KO4MA

1 0

demod
by Glenn Little WB4UIV 07 Jul '07

07 Jul '07

The TV station that I work at has been cleaning up. Being the ham that I am, I do not like to see electronics thrown out (a green thing, lead ya know). One of the things headed out was a Wegener series 2011 FSK demod. This is a 9600 bps bit rate FSK Data Demod. It is currently set to a subcarrier frequency of 5.520760 MHz. The output of the card should be RS-232C. Does this have any potential use for listening to the data from any of our birds?? I have the demod, power supply, frame and most important the instruction manual! 73 Glenn WB4UIV

1 0

Kennedy Space center
by Dee 06 Jul '07

06 Jul '07

Hi all, I had seen a post that someone went to the KSC and had a good time and I am thinking of visiting the next Space shuttle launch in August. Anyone have some contacts down there to be in the so called grand stands?? Any of you astonauts reading this BB that could possibly help too?? No, I am not travelling in anRV- just a rental car as us "ordinary" tourists travel in. Thanks for the bandwith. 73, Dee Interdonato, NB2F NJ AMSAT Co-ordinator

1 0

Assistance needed for PK-96 and Mspe 2.01a (Wisp3215)
by Georges Wilenski 06 Jul '07

06 Jul '07

Hi All, Does someone use successfully a AEA PK-96 TNC with WISP3215 ( last version with MSPE 2.01a ) ? Problem : when using MSPE 2.01a , PK-96 does not switch the transceiver to transmit mode. Thanks for help. Pse answer only to my e-mail adress : f5vif(a)amsat.org 73' ................................George................F5VIF JN25po

1 0

Satellites and Icom IC-R20 receiver
by Luciano G. Nachif 06 Jul '07

06 Jul '07

Hello folks! I would like to hear any comment regarding the Icom IC-R20. I'm on the market for the above and would like to know how it performs as I will be listening to ham radio activity on HF and satellites bands. Your comments are really welcomed. Thanks in advance, Luciano PT9KK

2 1

Off Topic - Wierless Router
by Tony 05 Jul '07

05 Jul '07

All: Just about to install a wireless router to replace a hardwire system and was wondering if they tend to produce stronger birdies on HF/VHF than hardwire? If so, are some wireless brands better than others? Thanks, Tony K2MO

2 1

Strange noise/s on AO-51...
by Ernest Erickson 05 Jul '07

05 Jul '07

I wonder if there's ben some experimenting on this bird with D-Star, as there was already with AO-27. That may explain the white noise people have reported hearing. Digital signals would appear as white noise on a standard analog FM receiver. Ernest A. Erickson, KA9UCE Applied Electronic Communications, AEC 10711 East Verbina Lane Florence, AZ. 85232 520.723.0602 aec9823(a)yahoo.com ____________________________________________________________________________________ Moody friends. Drama queens. Your life? Nope! - their life, your story. Play Sims Stories at Yahoo! Games. http://sims.yahoo.com/

1 0

Strange noise on AO-51 over Northern Europe
by OZ1MY 05 Jul '07

05 Jul '07

Hi all in Europe, Tonight I heard a strange noise on AO-51 when it was to the North af me here in Copenhagen. It sounded like pulsating white noise. Anyone heard the same ? The pass had AOS at 2012 UTC here in Copenhagen. It was late in the pass. 73 OZ1MY Ib

2 1

Re: Off Topic - Wireless Router
by Eric H Christensen 05 Jul '07

05 Jul '07

I've been running a Linksys WRT54G in the shack for the last year and I haven't had any interference problems from it. Now if I were going out to buy a new wireless router & switch I wouldn't go with the WRT54G as I have had some problems with it and I like to have a little more control over my network but that is just the geek coming out in me. I'm getting ready to flash it with OpenWRT (Kamikaze) here in the next few days so it might actually turn out to be a nice unit. 73s, Eric W4OTN >All: > >Just about to install a wireless router to replace >a hardwire system and was wondering if they tend >to produce stronger birdies on HF/VHF than >hardwire? If so, are some wireless brands better >than others? > >Thanks, > >Tony K2MO > >_______________________________________________ >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

1 0

2.4 GHz for R/C use?
by Jim Jerzycke 04 Jul '07

04 Jul '07

Just stumbled across this in an ad for Tower Hobbies: http://www.towerhobbies.com/rcwnews/070210-futk6900.html I had no idea that the 2.4 GHz band was authorized for R/C use. 73, Jim KQ6EA

3 3