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

AO-7 mode change time
by David 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

G'day All, Just watched and listened to a pass of AO-7 and it looked like it was illuminated all the time - the full sunlight period may have arrived. Has anyone observed when (UTC) the timer changes between modes? Looking at the AO-7 log at planetemily it would appear to be between 0100 and 0200 UTC. That's a bit late for my QTH since morning passes occur between 1830 and 0030 UTC. 73 de David VK5DG

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Re: LoTW: grid squares
by Wayne Estes 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

John KD6PAG wrote: Several people have written to me about long-lat to Maidenhead conversion. I know how to do that. For example, the grid boundary near Four Corners is 109W02'0 37N00'0.00, which i represent as DM56lx/DM57la. But LoTW won't take that. Wayne W9AE replies: I don't have an answer to your LOTW grid square problem, but I want to make sure everybody knows about the excellent grid square calculator available for download from the web site of Stacey Mills W4SM (former AO40 control operator). http://www.keplerian.com/ I also like his "RF safety" and "Power Loss" calculator programs. Wayne Estes W9AE Oakland, Oregon, USA, CN83ik

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Re: LoTW: grid squares
by melachri＠speakeasy.net 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

But you are quoting the rules for contests. Rules for awards are different. Specifically, the rules for VUCC say: "Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid locator simultaneously (such as from the intersection of 4 grid locators) must be physically present in more than one locator to give multiple locator credit with a single contact...Operators of such stations should be prepared to provide some evidence of meeting this test if called upon to do so. Multiple QSL cards are not required. GPS readings are acceptable." John said he's adhered to these rules. The problem is that LoTW is not built to the same set of rules. It's probably tailored more to WAS and DXCC. I think John's solution is probably to create duplicate QSOs for those cases, with each QSO replicated in each grid square. Although the VUCC rules say that multiple QSLs are not required, LoTW seems to force him to do it that way. Steve W3HF > John Mock KD6PAG wrote: > > I have a similar issue with grid squares. I've been careful to adhere to > > the VUCC rules on operating on grid square boundaries (and often taken > > photographs to provide additional documentation). However, those who have > > received my QSL cards will note that LoTW is not checked on those cards. > > > > It seems that LoTW insists that grid squares be four or six characters > > long. So, how would i denote my operations from 38N0'0.00 118W0'0.00 > > (DM07/08/17/18)? Can anyone help me out on this one? > > ARRL Rules for Contests on Bands Above 50 MHz say: > > "1.11.A station located precisely on a dividing line between grid > squares must select only one as the location for exchange purposes. > A different grid-square multiplier cannot be given without moving the > complete station (including antennas) at least 100 meters." > > So, in the case of a grid corner, you can pick any one of the 4 grids in > the corner, but you have to move the whole station to count a QSO in any > of the 3 other adjoining grids. Same thing for a grid line, only 2 > grids instead of 4 are involved. > > I seem to recall that there was an AMSAT rule that was different, > allowing a QSO at an exact grid corner to count for all 4 grids, and a > QSO at an exact grid line to count for both grids, but I can't seem to > locate that rule to see exactly when it applies... > > 73 de WØJT > AMSAT-NA LM#2292 >

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Re: ISS Doppler with SATPC32ISS
by George Henry 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

Sadly, as many on the RTTY contesting list have discovered, not all USB-to-serial converters are created equal (most won't do 5-bit Baudot). But for SatPC32's purposes, they still might not support all of the handshaking signals needed. First, make sure that you have the latest drivers for your converter. If that doesn't solve the problem, you may need to try a different brand of converter. 73, George, KA3HSW ----- Original Message ----- From: <9w2qc(a)9w2qc.net> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2007 11:19 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] ISS Doppler with SATPC32ISS Dear All, Greetings from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I have been trying to use SATPC32ISS with my ICOM IC-910H for ISS tracking. Antenna and doppler tracking has went on smoothly using the built in serial ports on my PC. It is also possible to track ISS's in band doppler (on 2M, TX and RX) and inhibit doppler change during TX by connecting ACC pin 3 to Serial pin 8. Everything is fine, until I attempt to connect the transceiver to my laptop. Unfortunately, my laptop does not have serial port, so I have no choice but to use a USB-Serial converter. At first, the frequency changes perfectly. However, once I key PTT, no further changes takes place. Although, SATPC32ISS still keeps the transceiver in split mode. Once, I disable and re-enable CAT function, everything becomes back to normal. I am just wondering and would be glad if anyone has found a solution to this. Thank you very much in advance, and a great weekend to all. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC.

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LoTW: grid squares [was: ISS a Satellite or an airplane?]
by John Mock KD6PAG 16 Sep '07

16 Sep '07

I have a similar issue with grid squares. I've been careful to adhere to the VUCC rules on operating on grid square boundaries (and often taken photographs to provide additional documentation). However, those who have received my QSL cards will note that LoTW is not checked on those cards. It seems that LoTW insists that grid squares be four or six characters long. So, how would i denote my operations from 38N0'0.00 118W0'0.00 (DM07/08/17/18)? Can anyone help me out on this one? -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer) [Note: If i'm in your address book, please replace 'qsl.net' with 'amsat.org'.]

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LoTW: grid squares [was: ISS a Satellite or an airplane?]
by John Mock KD6PAG 15 Sep '07

15 Sep '07

Several people have written to me about long-lat to Maidenhead conversion. I know how to do that. For example, the grid boundary near Four Corners is 109W02'0 37N00'0.00, which i represent as DM56lx/DM57la. But LoTW won't take that. Figuring out what to send to LoTW, or getting them to accept something that is more than six characters, that is the dilemma i face. Thanks! 73's and good luck! -- KD6PAG (Networking Old-Timer, Satellite QRPer)

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ISS a Satellite or an airplane?
by Eric Christensen 15 Sep '07

15 Sep '07

Can someone sanity check me, please? I'm trying to convince a guy at the ARRL that the ISS needs to be added to the LoTW as a satellite and he says it is not valid because it isn't a satellite but rather an airplane. Anyone out there help me with this? 73s, Eric W4OTN

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re digital compass / hello to the group
by Rhett Duke 15 Sep '07

15 Sep '07

Many thanks to all who took the time to reply and bring me up to speed on the practical way to track with an Arrow Antenna......I gather that an Arrow beam has a "pattern" that could be likened to using a shotgun to shoot skeet/clay targets......The more elements on a beam.....the more gain it has.....but the tighter the pattern hence you have to be more accurate in pointing it....I'd compare that to shooting a rifle ......I also sense there is a proper time and place for using a beam with a wide pattern (beam width)....and a time something with more gain would be desirable. I'll spend some more time reading over all your information and hope to be meeting you all "on the birds" soon !!!!!!!!!!!! 73 Rhett Duke KI4OVO -- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it.

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UT-10
by Eric H. Christensen 15 Sep '07

15 Sep '07

I have a Kenwood TS-790 at the house that I'm going to be using for satellites. Does anyone have a UT-10 they'd be willing to get rid of? I need to figure out something for 1.2GHz. 73s, Eric W4OTN

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AO-7 Help...many thanx!
by John Marranca, Jr 14 Sep '07

14 Sep '07

Hello all. I just wanted to publicly express my gratitude for the prompt, numerous, and courteous responses to my AO-7 question. I am grateful. I also would like to note that in almost 20 years of being a ham, I have never found a friendlier group...so willing to help and answer questions...however small. Also, no one "tore me apart" when I mentioned that my main rig for satellites, contesting, etc...is an FT-817. (Like I told Rich N2SPI)...Bitten by the satellite bug, John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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