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

Re: tracking/prediction software for windows mobile smartphones.
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 07 Sep '07

07 Sep '07

Hi, I have used both PocketSat and PocketSat+ written by Jim Berry @ _www.bigfattail.com_ (http://www.bigfattail.com) . Jim has windows mobile version and also a version for use with a Palm operating system. The software has proved to be most useful especially when operating portable for example with an Arrow Antenna and a HT. The software is also listed on the Amsat web pages. Good luck and enjoy! Ken Eaton GW1FKY Amsat- UK Amsat NA

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Re: Windows Mobile Software
by Clint Bradford 07 Sep '07

07 Sep '07

Eric - I'll show you the excellent product from Big Fat Tail dot com when we meet at the L.A. County Fair in our AMSAT booth. Clint Bradford, K6LCS 909-241-7666

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dc to antenna preamplifier through coax
by Al Ozias 07 Sep '07

07 Sep '07

I have a recollection of seeing a description of a method to insert dc through the coax to a antenna preamplifier but can't locate the article. A mind is a terrible thing to lose. If you know where I can find the article please E-Mail me at alozias(a)att.net . I am considering using this method for a TV antenna preamplifier. Thanks - Al - N7EQF

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Off Subject Question
by WILLIAMS MICHAEL 07 Sep '07

07 Sep '07

I'm getting ready to etch a two sided PCB for a satellite related homebrew project. The bottom side is the ground plane which I don't want etched. What is the easy way to protect it from the etching solution? Electrical tape? Masking Tape? Sharpie Pen? Thanks Mike K9QHO AMSAT 33589

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IC-821H TX problem on 70cm--solved
by Scott Townley 07 Sep '07

07 Sep '07

I had written the list awhile back regarding an intermittent TX problem with my IC-821H on 70cm. Someone pointed me to the eHam reviews, where PE3HMP mentions thermal problems with Q43 causing the 70cm TX to drop out. I opened the radio up, and found significant thermal browning on the sheet metal and PCB in the left-side rear corner, where several voltage regulators are. Q43 was confirmed on the schematic as controlling the 70cm TX, and is found on the underside of the MAIN board, sure enough in the area of thermal browning. Quick bench measurements confirmed that the uP triggers for TX were all present up until Q43...so it was definitely the culprit. Q43 is an internally-biased PNP switching transistor in an SOT-23 surface-mount package (Toshiba RN2425), rated at 200mW and will switch 800mA. Of course it's unobtainium nowadays. Which you could argue is a good thing, since it failed to begin with... To replace it, I searched out a P-channel enhancement-mode MOSFET. These devices can be drop-in replacements for switching PNP transistors (same polarity relationships between DGS and CBE). The device I chose was a Zetex ZXMP6A13F, rated at 625mW and will switch 1100mA. Also the switching performance was very good, with Rds(on)=0.4ohms. I was happy to find an up-rated device from the RN2425 too. They are available for USD0.63 in single quantities from Digikey. A quick solder job (which finds my SMT skills deteriorating with age) and the '821H was back on the air with reliable 70cm TX. Just a further note, that today's MOSFETs are really incredible switching devices, worthy of consideration in many applications. Scott Townley NX7U Gilbert, AZ DM43di mailto:[email protected] http://members.cox.net/nx7u

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FW: : [STXARES] PR- Seeking someone that heard Sputnik
by Andrew.MacAllister＠EmersonProcess.com 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

If you have input, please respond to W5lhc01(a)gmail.com . ----- Original Message ----- From: Lee To: traviscountyares(a)yahoogroups.com ; austinhams(a)yahoogroups.com ; STXARES(a)yahoogroups.com Cc: Jwgadus(a)aol.com ; E. Ray Taylor ; Joe Fisher ; Roger Wines ; Steven Polunsky ; Stuart Rohre ; Tom Whiteside ; wb5aoh(a)arrl.net ; Joe Canfield Sent: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 12:38 PM Subject: [STXARES] PR- Seeking someone that heard Sputnik CQ CQ, I have been contacted by a reporter that will be doing a story soon on the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 1(October 4th). He would like to try and locate any hams that may have actually successfully attempted to listen for the Sputnik. Forgive my satellite ignorance here, but since Sputnik is not a ham sat, I am assuming it still put out some telemetry or other signals that may have been capable of being received by either amateur or shortwave radios? If you, or someone you know, did this please let me know and I will hook you up with said reporter. Please feel free to forward this request to any specific reflectors or email lists that you may be part of. Thanks, Lee Cooper, W5LHC 512-658-3910 W5lhc01(a)gmail.com Lee Cooper, W5LHC Public Information Coordinator, South Texas Section

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2008 AMSAT Space Symposium and Annual Meeting
by Martha 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

Please note that the $55 registration fee ends on September 15th. In addition, we have rented a 47 passenger bus for the tour of WPXI-DT studios. In order to ensure a seat, please register as soon as possible. -- 73- Martha

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tracking/prediction software for windows mobile smartphones.
by Eric Fort 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

I'm looking for some tracking/prediction software that will run on my windows mobile smartphone. What are others using, what is available, and what would those of you on this list recommend? thanks, Eric KG6KQT

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Spitnik
by Dave Guimont 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

Hi Lee, I "heard" Sputnik, and all I can tell you is that I heard a series of "beeps"....I was a navy pilot stationed at St. Louis NAS at the time, and just had a receiver with a simple wire antenna. I can tell you nothing more than that, and have no idea what, if any, information the "beep" carried, and do not know today what was conveyed.. If you find out let me know!! 73, Dave wb6llo(a)amsat.org Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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Sputnik-1 information sources
by Ralph Wallio, W0RPK 06 Sep '07

06 Sep '07

NASA National Space Science Data Center Sputnik-1 http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1957-001B Sounds of Sputnik http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/sound/sputnik.wav Photo of full-scale replica at NASM http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/gal100/sputnikclsup.jpg Korolev, Sputnik, and The International Geophysical Year http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/sputnik/siddiqi.html Thrills of the earliest days http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/trackind/getstart/oldcyts.htm Mr. Perry's radio work with his students was highlighted in a "NOVA" television documentary, "The Schoolboys Who Cracked The Soviet Secret", which first aired in December 1989. The group continued to operate after Mr. Perry's retirement from teaching in 1984. Perry and his associates published numerous reports in the Journal of the British Interplanetary Society and in US government publications as well. I am very interested in obtaining a copy of the 1989 NOVA program (it is not available from PBS). TNX es 73 de Ralph Wallio, WØRPK W0RPK(a)netINS.net http://showcase.netins.net/web/wallio/ Hubbert's Peak - The Mother of all Perfect Storms

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