January 2008 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Call for Papers--2007 ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference
by Ford, Steve, WB8IMY 16 Jul '12

16 Jul '12

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 26th Annual ARRL and TAPR Digital Communications Conference to be held September 28-30, 2007 in Hartford, Connecticut. These papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings (you do NOT need to attend the conference to have your paper included in the Proceedings). The submission deadline is July 31, 2007. Please send papers to: Maty Weinberg ARRL 225 Main St Newington, CT 06111 or you can make your submission via e-mail to: maty(a)arrl.org Papers will be published exactly as submitted and authors will retain all rights. 73 . . . Steve, WB8IMY ARRL

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Santa docks at the ISS
by Ed Tump 25 Aug '08

25 Aug '08

Happy holidays! I got a kick out of this video: http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Di8mZLu0VE <http://youtube.com/watch?v=_Di8mZLu0VE&feature=PlayList&p=26B9B2ACB4AAC849& index=7> &feature=PlayList&p=26B9B2ACB4AAC849&index=7 Maybe he dropped off some more amateur radio gifts. 73, Ed KC9GWK Grid EN52 AmSat Member

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Re: OLPC ... Neat!
by Bob Bruninga 19 Apr '08

19 Apr '08

> I think the XO is a... ground breaking device. > Did I get one? No, I realized that it is does > not meet my needs and would end up in the > closet or given away to a child... Mine have done just that since Xmas, until today. ... I couldn't find my shoulder bag big laptop and so on my way out the door, I grabbed one of the kids XO's so I could try it out for the 5 hours I would be sitting at the kids swim meet. Sitting in the stands, I fired it up, and to my amazement wireless! bingo up came my favorite web pages, and then email. After reading email I went to edit some of my web pages. Flipped the screen around to tablet/book style so that the pages were long and I could read like a book. Holding the device in one hand with the nice finger holes provided. Wow, what a neat way to access wireless, email, web pages, and live mobile APRS. Less than 1/2 the bulk of my big laptop, and only $200 at risk instead of the $1200 labtop. I can't wait for the ham software to start working with it. Talk about portability... The ease of use, will assure that I will now probbly have the ham radio laptop apps with me more often than before since I will be more apt to carry the small XO at low risk then lug the big laptop. I'm sold! And now that my kids see how easy the itnernet access was, I now have to buy my own XO, since now their inteerest has been re kindled and they do want to take them both back to school... Bob, WB4APR

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Satellite Simulated Emergency Test 2
by Robert Bruninga 16 Feb '08

16 Feb '08

Next Satellite Simulated Emergency Test (SSET), 9-18 Feb? PCSAT-1 will enter full sun on 9 Feb and will join ISS on 145.825 as a relay for 1200 baud SSET Emails. GO-32 is also available for 9600 baud Email (if we have sufficient Satgates). See the web page on how to use ANY TNC, and no special software to send an Email: http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html That should work well for Packet. Now, for voice... Now that we have AO-16, combined with SO-50 and AO-51 and others for voice, these plus the digital birds give us a total of 36 passes per day opportuntiy for getting a simulated emergency message out via amateur satellite. I think we need to exercise our EmComm capabilities and demonstrate them. I'd like to suggest that we come up with a plan for how best to use our voice birds for this kind of test too. I'd suggest that we come up with NET Control operators who will take checkin's. Check-ins will report these items: TX power, Gain, portable or not, emergency power or not, location. Anyone want to take charge and move out? Bob, WB4APR > -----Original Message----- > From: aprssig-bounces(a)lists.tapr.org > [mailto:aprssig-bounces@lists.tapr.org] On Behalf Of Robert Bruninga > Sent: Friday, November 09, 2007 9:56 PM > To: 'TAPR APRS Mailing List' > Subject: [aprssig] Simulated Emergency Test via Satellite 50% > status report. > > This weekend should be good for getting your Satellite - > Simulated Emergecny Test message through. See > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html. PCSAT is half way > through its 2 week long Fall full-ops period. > > Last weekend, we saw over 75 users per 24 hour period who > exchanged about 250 messages a day plus 23 SSET emails. Then > during the week, this tapered to about 50 a day with 15 more > SSET emails and 3 via ISS. PCSAT is coming up in the late > afternoon now in the Northern Hemisphere. See live user downlink > on http://pcsat.aprs.org . > > It is easy to send a Satelite Emergenncy Email without any > special hardware or software other than a TNC (or soundcard > software). Just set your outoing Email in your Btext and set > BEACON to once a minute. Enable it in the afternoon between > about 1400 to 1800 local standard time in the USA (or 5 to 9 > AM). Set on 145.825 using a digi path of UNPROTO APRS VIA > WIDE2-2 at 1200 baud. > > Or just set your Kenwood D7 or D700 to send the message > automatically from the front panel. > > Check your email after that time period and see if you got the > message. The format is in the above SSET web page. If you've > done it via PCSAT, and or ISS, then try it via GO-32 at 9600 > baud. Though you can do that at your leisure after PCSAT dies > again and GO32 then is the only reliable bird. See > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/GO32-ops.html > > Bob, WB4APR > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Bob Bruninga [mailto:bruninga@usna.edu] > > Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 10:50 PM > > To: bruninga(a)usna.edu; 'Amsat-BB' > > Subject: RE: [amsat-bb] Simulated Emergency Test via Satellite > > > > Simulated Satellite Emergency Test: > > > > I now see 74 PCSAT-1 users in the last 24 hours on > > http://pcsat.aprs.org > > > > I cannot count up the SSET emails till I get to work on > > Monday, but of those 74 users, 50 of them have sent about > > 822 messages via PCSAT-1 or ANDE or GO32 or maybe even ARISS > > over the weekend (2-4 Nov). > > > > By the way, this is NOT just APRS hardware and software. > > Anyone with a TNC and a radio can send their SSET checkin > > email. Just set your TNC BTEXT as follows: > > > > BT :EMAIL....:YOUR_EMAIL@WHATEVER.COM checking in for SSET!... > > > > Oh, replace the 4 dots after the word EMAIL with four spaces. > > The above format is an APRS message that will get ingested > > into the global APRS system and will get emailed to > > your_EMAIL (or any other email address you specify). > > > > Also set UNPROTO APRS VIA ARISS > > > > Set beacon to once every minute if attended until you see > > success. If unattended, set to once every 5 minutes. > > > > If successful, you will receive that message via your EMAIL. > > This demonstrates your ability to enter a EMAIL and or > > position and or status from anywhere on the planet in case of > > emergency TO any email address.. > > > > Join the SSET (Satellite Simulated Emergency Test)! > > > > WB4APR, Bob > > > > > Having heard no objections to the proposed Satellite > > > Simulated Emergency Test, we are proceeding with > > > the APRS satellite part of the test: > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > > What is needed for this new opportunity is encouraging > > > a mind set... Towards... emeregency preparedness. > > > > > > I am thinking AMSAT (we) need to do more emergency > > > service preparations and tests with our satellites. > > > Not only will that test our capabilities, but we > > > will also need to demonstrate our emergency response > > > capabilities as a group to help sell the new > > > P4 concept to the supporters of this new Geo initiative. > > > > > > Can we work up a SSET, Satellite Simulated Emergency > > > Test? Something AMSAT can do to get this bandwagon > > > rolling. Here's a web page on what I am thinking: > > > > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > SATELLITE SIMULATED EMERGENCY TEST: > > > > > > For the APRS satellites, everyone with an APRS station, > > > or D7 or D700 mobile would try to send an EMAIL > > > reporting location and status via satellite from the > > > field. > > > > > > For the PACSAT message birds, similarly send a message > > > reporting status from the field. > > > > > > For the Voice birds, have a net control take check-in > > > status from as many field stations as possible. > > > > > > I hope I'm not not re-inventing someone's wheel. SET > > > was in October and I am not a routine satellite > > > operator, but I do think we need field preparedness. > > > This is not another Field day contest. But this is > > > different. We will have good powerful net controls > > > taking as many low-power check-ins as possible to > > > demonstrate our capability to handle emergency traffic > > > from anywhere. By my count, there is a LEO satellite > > > pass on average at least once an hour most of the day > > > long. Plenty of time during a 2 day test for eveyone > > > to checkin. > > > > > > With PCSAT-1 returning to service for the next two > > > weeks, I would propose to do this during the 2nd week > > > in November. And to schedule it monthly from then on. > > > Sign up net controls for the FM birds, etc... > > > > > > Field Operations IS part of this new P4 opportunity. > > > Lets start exercising... > > > > > > And you can do this all from your mobile without a PC! > > > > > > See my draft web page... > > > http://www.ew.usna.edu/~bruninga/sset.html > > > > > > Bob, WB4APR > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > aprssig mailing list > aprssig(a)lists.tapr.org > https://lists.tapr.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/aprssig >

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Explorer I - recordings
by Roy 05 Feb '08

05 Feb '08

I have been asked if any of the Explorer I recordings were still available in WAV, etc format. There is one posted at http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php. Select the "Select a Topic" drop down menu and scroll down to "Sounds from the first satellites." There are a few recordings there with the info about the recordings. One of them is the Explorer I telemetry. You will hear several constant audio tones with one of them shifting between two tones. There was a geiger counter on board that counted cosmic ray particles according to the info I have read. After a certain number had been counted the tone shifted and after another quantity had been counted it shifted back again. The 108 mHz antenna was a six element colinear arrangement consisting of six half waves (wire elements) suspended over a 13x13 ft wooden frame covered with chicken wire laying on the roof of my house. This oriented it up about 75-80 degrees above the southern horizon. No tracking. The satellites had to fly through the main lobe of the antenna pattern. The receiving arrangement was a modified TeCraft (I think) converter with a 6BQ7 TV RF amplifier front end feeding an National NC-300 Amateur band receiver. Not very good as noise figures go today but pretty good for 1958. I still have all of the original reel to reel tapes, some of their contents transferred to cassette tape. -- Roy

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Re: A considerate operating practice on FM (one channel) satellites, Europe take 2
by OZ1MY 05 Feb '08

05 Feb '08

Hi all, Thanks for the many positive replies. More than one says that it would be a good idea to have the article translated for the different national magazines in Europe. Tonight I will update the article and hope that at least one radio amateur in each European country will volunteer to translate from my English to the necessary language - and try to get it in the national magazine. Just send me an e-mail direct and you will get the article. The offer is not limited to Europe :-) By the way I like the FM satellites and use them. 73 OZ1MY Ib

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Explorer I
by Roy 01 Feb '08

01 Feb '08

If I'm not mistaken this is the 50th anniversary of the launch of Explorer I, the USA's first satellite put in orbit. I listened to the telemetry broadcast on 108 mHz and recorded it. The JPL had asked for the loan of any recordings made so I sent them out for their analysis. I received my original tapes back along with a supply of new reels of tape for use in making further recordings. JPL sent copies on to the Air Force Research Center at Cambridge. I later received letters from JPL and the Air Force Research Center describing the data they had recovered from the recordings relative to micrometeorite impacts and other items. It was a really exciting period for Amateur Radio. -- Roy -- W0SL

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Re: Satellite tracking programming ideas
by phillor＠telstra.com 01 Feb '08

01 Feb '08

> SatPC32 works similar as Instant Tune (see Anthony Monteiro's detailed > answer): Thank you Anthony and Erich for your replies. I'm always impressed by the generosity of this list's members. During the past week I've spent hours debugging my code because it was originally supposed to work the way that you have both described. Actually it did, or at least I thought it did, but that was before I bought a laptop computer and a USB to serial converter. The code has been updated many times during the past eight years and during one of those updates I changed the user interface so that the user had to stop the tracking during manual tuning; effective but clumsy. Reading the FT-847's receiver frequency originally caused me some frustration. I had included a delay after each read and write command because the FT-847 doesn't return a command acknowledgement. While writing this reply I realised that instead of a delay I shroud be waiting for the serial port to receive five bytes from the radio. This has turned out to be more reliable but I still get occasional read errors and I feel that it's due to the USB to serial converter. When an incorrect frequency value is read, at one second intervals, the same value is reread from the serial port buffer each second until the tuning knob is moved again. Maybe the read command is working correctly and instead it's the write command that instructs the radio to output it's frequency that's not working reliably. I remember reading about some sort of delay that the FT-847 requires but I cannot remember what it was all about. It could be important. A lecturer once told a class that I attended that explaining a problem to anyone, even your dog if no one else will listen, often leads to an answer. It's helping in this instance, but not enough to lead me to the final answer. To add to my frustration, my ISP has made changes to their mail server which now prevents me replying to any e-mails that are outside of their domain. I have a workaround but it's a real pain. Thank you Wayne for your thoughts on frequency drift. I spent many hours listening to AO40's beacon and did manage, eventually, to get the drift under control. -- Regards, Phil.

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RFI source found - sort of
by Tony 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

All, I was able to track down the general location of an RFI problem I've been hearing since December. It's in the vicinity of 3 new homes on a cul-de-sac not far from my QTH. I'm told the pulse noise sounds like the RFI from an invisible electric fence. At this point, it's hard to tell which home it's coming from with the HF mobile because the signal strength is overwhelming at the location. I'll have to get up close with a portable AM radio; I'll probably need some shielding around it. Wish I knew exactly what the noise was; I'd hate to 'accuse' a neighbor of causing RFI and have it turn out to be the power company. I have a recording if anyone is interested. The question is, what to do in the worse case scenerio if the home owner decides not to take action to remedy the problem? Anyone on the reflector been through this before? Apologies for the off-topic note -Please reply direct... Tony -K2MO

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Explorer 1
by Daniel Schultz 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

I was just a baby when Explorer 1 was launched, but I well remember the 25th anniversary when I was at the University of Iowa and James Van Allen was still the department chairman. Where has the time gone.... http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/explorer/captions/briefing.php Dan Schultz N8FGV

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ISS repeater
by Håkan Harrysson 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

Hello, Looks to me the ISS repeater was right now activated as i heard some strange activity on 145800. Short after that i heard UA1TDZ calling CQ. Lets hear from people along the path. 73 Hakan SM7WSJ

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AO-16 over West Malaysia
by 9w2qc＠9w2qc.net 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

Hi All, I am pleased to submit my first operation report of AO-16 over West Malaysia. Uplink: 145.920 MHz +/- Downlink: 437.025 MHz +/- Maximum Elevation: 25 degrees AOS: 1654 Local or 0854 UTC I did not switch on the PC to perform automatic antenna and doppler tracking, so everything was done manually. Downlink doppler tuning was not as difficult as expected, though it takes some effort to tune the downlink especially approaching TCA. The downlink signal was very strong too, even without the mast head preamp switched on. USB seem to sound slightly better than LSB. Surprisingly this bird hears very well. About 30 watts of uplink power into 2x10 elements horizontally polarized stacked yagi for 2M was about enough. On the downlink, a 2x15 elements horizontally polarized stacked yagi for 70 CM was used. No stations were heard except HS1EAX that was coming in 59. Replied his call, but unfortunately, I got no response. I am really looking forward to work more stations via this amazing new bird soon. My thanks to the command team for taking all the effort to put this bird into the VHF FM/UHF SSB voice repeater mode. 73, Sion Chow Q. C., 9W2QC.

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Vers 2.2.1 of PB/PG for Linux released
by Bent 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

I'm happy to announce release 2.2.1 of PB/PG for Linux. PB and PG for Linux are programs used for download from and upload to digital satellites (Pacsats) supporting the FTL0 protocol. This software allows you to directly communicate with the Microsat series of satellites. It provides a Curses (Ncurses) based user interface. It features automatic directory fill requests and simple, rules based file download requests. This release serves two purposes: 1) To show that the project is still alive and kicking 2) To correct a number of small 'inconveniencec' and to add a few new features. These changes/additions are described in the document 'ReleaseNotes' q.v. (included in the release) PB/PG for Linux may be downloaded (in source form only) from one of these places: - www.fern.dk /pgpg/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz - ibiblio.org /pub/linux/apps/ham/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz - ftp.amsat.org /amsat/software/Linux/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz I may be contacted using this address: oz6bl (at) amsat (dot) org Happy hamming Best 73 de Bent/OZ6BL

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Vers 2.2.1 of PB/PG for Linux released
by Bent 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

I'm happy to announce release 2.2.1 of PB/PG for Linux. PB and PG for Linux are programs used for download from and upload to digital satellites (Pacsats) supporting the FTL0 protocol. This software allows you to directly communicate with the Microsat series of satellites. It provides a Curses (Ncurses) based user interface. It features automatic directory fill requests and simple, rules based file download requests. This release serves two purposes: 1) To show that the project is still alive and kicking 2) To correct a number of small 'inconveniencec' and to add a few new features. These changes/additions are described in the document 'ReleaseNotes' q.v. (included in the release) PB/PG for Linux may be downloaded (in source form only) from one of these places: - www.fern.dk /pgpg/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz - ibiblio.org /pub/linux/apps/ham/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz - ftp.amsat.org /amsat/software/Linux/pbpg-2.2.1.tar.gz I may be contacted using this address: oz6bl (at) amsat (dot) org Happy hamming Best 73 de Bent/OZ6BL

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Delfi C-3
by Luc Leblanc 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

The countdown clock is at -32 days and i cannot find any decoding software on their site? It will be a good thing if they want to have amateur stations to decode the telemetry to make their software available a couple of weeks before the launch in a way to be able to play with it a bit before starting to decode Bugs, problems, incompatibility with OS "VISTA"... and so on will be better solved right now rather than the day before launch! Radio Amateur section Delfi-C3 will have a downlink in the amateur satellite segment of the VHF amateur radio frequency band. Telemetry decoding software will be made available to participating amateur radio operators and universities which allows them to decode and display real time telemetry. Furthermore, the software allows for a data upload to the central Delfi-C3 ground station via the Internet for data processing. The Delfi- C3 team would like to invite all interested radio amateurs to receive, decode and forward telemetry data to the Delfi-C3 ground station. "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Macbook and U232-P9 serial
by Andrew Rich 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

Howdy I am hoping someone might me able to help. I am making good progress with my new macbook, I have xastir running in brilliant colour and my gpredict install is coming along. I was disapointed when I plugged in my U232-P9 USB to serial device and the macbook would not see it. I have searched the net and tried a few drivers to no avail. I re-checked the device on a windows box and yes it is still fine. Ideas ? What device do you use ? Andrew VK4TEC

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gpredict
by Andrew Rich 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

I am almost there with gpredict on mac os x All i have left to do is GTK+ GLIB GTHREAD ideas ? Andrew VK4TEC

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Rotor freezing and S mode
by Luc Leblanc 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

With the actual A0-51 configuration U/S transmitters ON i recheck my BBQ grill performance. As i expected a bumpy ride on S band it was exactly what i got! Signal with deep fades from nil to s9+ 60! Did anyone succeed in reducing theses fades? probably attempting to circularized the feed can be a part of the solution as i used the original linear feed. Guessing the problem i cover the grill with screen mesh at the first installation but i don't know what type of feed will be best for grill shape Patch? helix? it will be interesting to see what you are using in a way to kill theses ugly fades. Looking for a solution to my KR-500 elevation rotor freezing i succeed at 100% with a simple and cheap battery heating pad available at you nearest auto parts store for 25$+- It gives 80 watts and you just have to roll the pad around the rotor casing with a generous layer of duct tape. In bonus as you now have AC up the tower you can add a lamp this way you can see your antennas position in the dark making your antenna structure even more intriguing for you neighbours... P.S. Magnetic heaters are not practical as there is not enough flat and even surface to have a good contact. "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Libertad Beacon ?
by john heath 31 Jan '08

31 Jan '08

Anyone know if this cubesat is still sending beacon signals? 73 John g7hia

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FW: 25 watt Moonbounce
by Les Listwa 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Regardless if this is a record or not, the PR is great for the Ham community in general. Also, his accomplishments and the PR hopefully will motivate some of those working the birds to download the WJST software and slew their modest antennas towards the moon. Six months ago, on a whim I downloaded the WJST software, aimed my 20 element crossed yagi 2M satellite antenna at the moon and heard W5UN and worked him. I was so excited and felt like a Novice making my first contact. Since then I have made over 100 contacts ( although, I have slowly grown my antennas and power to do it). I happened to be on the air the day Angus made the contact. I could not hear him, but I heard the other station he was working. He was luckily ( or smart enough) to pick one of the few days of the month when EME conditions were close to perfect and also picked up an additional 6 db of ground gain as he was working the moon on his Horizon. He also was compensating for Faraday rotation as he was switching between horizontal and Vertical elements through out the QSO. Was it a record? It does not matter. It was an accomplishment! And hopefully it will serve as motivation for anyone with even a modest satellite station to aim for the moon. Les WB2SZR, Daniel W2DBL

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ISS/Moon occultation
by Stargate 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Hi, Has anyone ever observed an occultation of a full Moon and the ISS? That would be a fantastic and RARE sight. RoD KD0XX

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Space Grade Soldering ?
by Tim Tuck 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Hi all, I've been reading about the construction of a few microsats and I see "Space Grade Soldering" mentioned a few times. So I'm curious as to what that entails ? I'd guess for starters the solder itself wouldn't be your standard 60/40 rosin cored stuff but I don't know ! and I'd imagine there'd be something do with process too. Can someone enlighten me or point me at a URL on the matter ? thanks Tim -- VK2XTT :: QF56if :: BMARC :: WIA :: AMSAT =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Scanned with Copfilter Version 0.84beta3a (ProxSMTP 1.6) AntiSpam: SpamAssassin 3.2.3 AntiVirus: ClamAV 0.91.2/5599 - Wed Jan 30 03:27:10 2008 by Markus Madlener @ http://www.copfilter.org

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AO16
by Dale-KL7XJ 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

On the 2346 utc pass I head lots of stations and worked one from California and one from Canada. Heards lots more calling me but to much QRM. Dale/kl7xj

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AO-16 pass
by ANTHONY JAPHA 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

to W8ZCF Lots of sigs heard on that pass here in NYC. Unfortunately, my own was not 1 of them! 73, Tony, N2UN ANTHONY JAPHA tjjapha(a)earthlink.net EarthLink Revolves Around You.

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Re: 25 watt Moonbounce
by Tom Clark, K3IO 30 Jan '08

30 Jan '08

Ed, KL7UW noted: > It would be more significant if the antenna was described. I suspect > if one used a 1000-foot dish it would be quite easy to do! I know of a number of QRP, single Yagi QSOs on 2M with W5UN (see http://web.wt.net/~w5un/mba2003.jpg <http://web.wt.net/%7Ew5un/mba2003.jpg> & read the primer at http://web.wt.net/~w5un/primer.htm <http://web.wt.net/%7Ew5un/primer.htm>) and KB8RQ (see http://www.spasalon.com/kb8rq/). In his primer, W5UN notes > W5UN has worked a couple of stations who were using a single long boom > antenna and running less than 50 watts, so it can be done. I made one > such contact with W2RS who answered my CQ. At the time W2RS was > running 50 watts into a single Cushcraft 32-19 antenna Along the line of amateur adventures using big antennas, I'll relate a few things I have done when using large dishes on EME. By large dishes, we have twice activated the 140' dish at Greenbank, WV (K8HUH & W3IWI/8 calls used) and we have used an 85' dish near Fairbanks, AK (Calls were W3IWI/KL7 & KL7RA) on several occasions. Here are some notable QRP activities: 1. From both dishes, I have "kerchunked" myself on 70cm FM using just a HT. 2. From Fairbanks, I ran 70cm AX.25 packet with a small (probably 10 watt) radio & TNC and managed to have a full, legit QSO with myself (connect, ack, data packets sent "both" ways, etc.) 3. From Greenbank on 13 cm we set the EME DX record with a ZL who was using his 1 watt exciter after his PA and Driver burned up. 4. From both locations on 70 cm, I worked a number of stations running under 50 watts with single yagis. 5. Our 1296 MHz QSO from WV with WB5LUA (now W5LUA) was critical to his completing a 23 cm WAS. 6. W3IWI/8 managed a 70 cm WAC in under 12 hours (i.e. within a single calendar day). The streak started with Z25JJ for Africa and ended with several VK6 QSOs. So some things are pretty easy when you have a big antenna! 73 de Tom, K3IO (ex W3IWI)

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