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

GO-32 only beacon
by Mineo Wakita 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

[2007/09/05 10:57:57z] ...TechRam1V9.87... [2007/09/05 10:58:27z] ...TechRam1V9.87... [2007/09/05 10:58:57z] ...TechRam1V9.87... de JE9PEL, Mineo Wakita

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Re: Polarity Switcher Relay - repost
by Bob Stewart 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

--- Bruce Robertson <broberts(a)mta.ca> wrote: > Bob: > > An important factor you don't mention is the coax to your antennas. If you > are not using preamps, the losses of the cables decrease the noise figure > of your reception by the same ratio, and this can add up very quickly to an > unworkable situation. Hi Bruce, Sorry, about that. I'm using wireman's #106 which is a low-loss foam RG-8 type with both braid and foil shielding. Also, there's only about 35 feet of it, so the loss should be be very low. > I think most of us also believe from experience that mast-mounted, low > noise preamps (from ARR or SSB USA) do far more for a station than polarity > switching. These are not inexpensive additions, but, especially on 70cm, > they are indispensable. Here's what's happening. From about 20 degrees up to about 30 or so, reception is iffy. After that, I sometimes have full quieting and sometimes nothing. I suppose I need to do a real study of it on one satellite, but it just seems that it should be a polarization issue. I do have a spare coax going up there, so I guess I could just make a LHCP version to be sure. Getting it out on the roof means that I have to make a much more robust version. I was hoping to put that off until I was completely sure that I've got a configuration that works properly. It's much easier for me to just move the antennas to the back yard when mowing season is over (I'm disabled). Fortunately, I have a semi-finished attic with easy access. Another thing I've been thinking of is that once I'm comfortable with messing around with relays etc on 70cm I might be able to use a DEM preamp with my own switcher. Thus my question on the relay. Bob - AE6RV

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Ao-7's mood (mode) changes.
by John Hackett 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

Aj9K has confirmed that AO-7 was !!! in mode B at 02:00 on the 4th of September on orbit 50109. This is extreemly interesting since K3SZH worked the satellite just prior to 02:00 on the same orbit (50109) in mode-A while myself and SV1BSX confirm it was in mode-A again on orbit 50111. The satellite does appear to change mode on or around 02:00 in this particular period but this is the first time ... (to my knowledge and assuming the reports *ARE* correct) ... that it has changed mode twice on the same orbit. Suffice to say, it *IS* being monitored. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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ARISS Nanjing News Links
by Trevor 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

There's a selection of news links generated by the recent Najing School contact at http://www.southgatearc.org/news/september2007/ariss_nanjing_links.htm 73 Trevor M5AKA --------------- Daily Amateur Radio RSS News: http://www.southgatearc.org/ Email your news items to: editor at southgatearc.org News On Your Website: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/index.htm News On Your PC: http://www.southgatearc.org/rss/newsreader.htm Upload Your News: http://www.southgatearc.org/news/your_news.htm --------------- ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now. http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/

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More On Ao-27 web site
by Bill Ress 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

I just noticed after Eric's earlier message that the main page for the AO-27 web site is at: www.umbrasi.com/AO27/index.shtml but when you click to get the TOPR schedule page, it indicates it's on the www.ao27.org web site which doesn't come up. Anyone know what's happening?? Regards...Bill - N6GHz

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Polarity Switcher Relay - repost
by Bob Stewart 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

Hello Amsat list, Sorry for the repost. I see a copy in the archive, but I didn't get anything by email. I'm a new list member. My call is AE6RV. My radio is an FT-726R with a couple of Mirage bricks. My antennas are: a turnstile on 2m and a turnstiled moxon on 70cm; both in the attic. I don't have any preamps yet. I've been working just the FM sats lately. I have a question about polarization switchers. Right now I don't have any and suffer pretty bad fades. I seem to be frozen by "analysis paralysis". I'm thinking of using the Omron G5V-2 relay in a simple switcher with the contacts paralleled. As I'm running less than 100 watts at the antenna this looks like a good choice - I think, or should I be looking at something else? My budget is limited, so expensive relay setups are out of the question. If anyone has a link to a good homebrew switcher for 70cm I'd appreciate seeing it. Maybe I'm making it too complicated. Bob - AE6RV

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The USA 7, Europe 0.
by John Hackett 05 Sep '07

05 Sep '07

Gentlemen, I see I'm not the only one who noticed ... (well done SV1BSX) ... AO-7, on the 4th of September ... of the 4 European stations ... (myself included) ... calling, NOBODY managed to raise anyone, while all 6 American stations ... (and 1 Japanese) ... all managed QSO's in mode-A. Bone idle? ... too easy? ... forgotten how to switch on an HF receiver? ... OK, it's not a competition but there must be a reason for the continental difference ... 'theories' may be written on the back of a $100 ... (or Euro) .... note and sent to La2qaa. NB. I am *NOT* soliciting, the last sentence was 'tongue-in-cheek' ... if you absolutely must !!! get rid of some cash ... donate it to Amsat. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org> 100What's the explanation?. stations >From: "SV1BSX" <sv1bsx(a)yahoo.gr> >Reply-To: eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com >To: <eu-amsat(a)yahoogroups.com> >Subject: [eu-amsat] AO-7/Mode-A >Date: Tue, 4 Sep 2007 21:25:48 +0300 > > Hello all, > >just I wondering why the Europeans are not active in Mode-A. > >Mode-A at my opinion is easier than Mode-B, you need just a VHF and >your HF gear. The downlink is also easier as the Doppler-shift is minimal >and the downlink signal stronger enough, even if the fading its a bit >harder. > > Try the Mode-A, PLEASE. Most times the "Grand Old Lady" is lonely over >Europe. > >That is no good. So, a "rendezvous" with "Old Lady"/A is waiting ! > >Always we must be Gentlemans with "Old Ladies" ! > > >73, Mak SV1BSX

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GO-32 L-Band Uplink Active?
by Eric Christensen 04 Sep '07

04 Sep '07

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 Can anyone confirm if the GO-32 L-Band uplink is functional? Has anyone tried it lately? 73s, Eric Christensen, W4OTN AMSAT Area Coordinator - Southeastern Virginia USA AMSAT Member 35360 http://www.ericsatcom.net Donate to the Eagle Fund - http://www.amsat-na.com/donation.php?donate=eagle GPG Key Fingerprint: 4675 2BBE 666B 8FF7 A9A1 4D00 67F2 1E7A B685 F578 -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.4.7 (GNU/Linux) Comment: Using GnuPG with Fedora - http://enigmail.mozdev.org iQIVAwUBRt3U7FPETzpAxiDcAQJqFw//dMLFh+t1UNHeraRoWmH6dfI5LB52D1gs ZA6d6P8fXX+1INH7QMHbpSAKgfZDGve54JHDlE0Jx443qG+rT2zadMwAAF0VFjJ5 UJKRJoR78eYQda8CZP9Fsl9zMyhIUDF469j9zStKUZEZJ+RKM2mXkqduCQXg0xu4 tnLqV7f3Or1lBbOw4fRlbdXmTNzqEaHoIqlEYUQuFAd5Qwi/0KiwXplIe8S/GlHU 7TcbOyb0AXyEMm4xGI4iSAR72RsWQsvwUC+5DVeTYb5wFkIG1uIuHhxF1OrpgUJK gkawrJz3L4eAvShrkKOoTalTFpi/R/YRQIhn5aD5MIoybfzsOfSToCphzmkGchQv r4Dzl05l9oaZTx5jHkj999dx1NEKr40EUTgEon/Va8A/uN+BAnmAokoYTe+uxtF8 U9CGy/BhMfbo0VxzTFqWYGrFVeyRiy7PiRPYT4+GwWGC3BI1AkfYC8rJyOu3N334 sV7vdiQo2aCtQl4Zwk8vWes16FvlQAc/2CGLXniMRsfbnYqXlBlTDM5fCYPMCN1i w9XU+hFWbZrV+7vVGU4eFdsQsbJ3k7CBc95WdKOCGQZgBDSvqwtCmb/Ell6VNesa VCbI1LLDRvQ2paq0RQKT5pDnbpbECllp/LZaAioU4nvDIzAvyw/kZWo6ftCeSb1s qYCz5EYWFR8= =YCE5 -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----

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AO-7 (A)
by TERRY BROMLEY 04 Sep '07

04 Sep '07

Hi Sat Fans, just back from my weekend villa. Reading the BB about 7 being in mode A, does this mean i have to find a decent ant for 10mtrs. My little HF G5RV doesn't work to well on 10mtrs. I will check the next pass at 10:03 local time (Sunday) i will keep you informed about the ant, my wife Kathy say's no more bird perches Hi. 73 all Terry G1WPR.

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Polarity Switcher
by Bob Stewart 04 Sep '07

04 Sep '07

Hello Amsat list, I'm a new list member. My call is AE6RV. My radio is an FT-726R with a couple of Mirage bricks. My antennas are: a turnstile on 2m and a turnstiled moxon on 70cm; both in the attic. I don't have any preamps yet. I've been working just the FM sats lately. I have a question about polarization switchers. Right now I don't have any and suffer pretty bad fades. I seem to be frozen by "analysis paralysis". I'm thinking of using the Omron G5V-2 relay in a simple switcher with the contacts paralleled. As I'm running less than 100 watts at the antenna this looks like a good choice. Should I be looking at something else? My budget is limited, so expensive relay setups are out of the question. Bob - AE6RV

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