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

SatPC32 and Yeasu G5500 Interface
by Rm2642＠aol.com 11 Jan '08

11 Jan '08

I have two satellite tracking programs operating at the same time. SatPC32 and Nova. SatPC for Doppler compensation duty (FT 736R CAT) and Nova for satellite tracking duty. Nova drives a Yeasu G5500 rotor controller box. I would be very happy if SatPC32 would interface with my G5500 Controller but I cannot find a setup using a parallel interface cable compatible with SatPC32. The interface cable I use now is from Nova called a SASI Sat Tracker interface. I don't think SatPC32 recognizes the SASI. Any tips on this subject greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ron n6paa **************Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape. http://body.aol.com/fitness/winter-exercise?NCID=aolcmp00300000002489

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Re: Ofcom publish Radio Amateur response to 24 GHz radar Consultation
by Trevor 11 Jan '08

11 Jan '08

http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2008/24ghz_responses.htm __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com

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Ofcom publish Radio Amateur response to 24 GHz radar Consultation
by Trevor 11 Jan '08

11 Jan '08

Ofcom have published on their website the joint response by RSGB, UKuG and AMSAT-UK to the latest Automotive Short Range Radar 24 GHz consultation 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 --------------- __________________________________________________________ Sent from Yahoo! Mail - a smarter inbox http://uk.mail.yahoo.com

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IC-1271A
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 11 Jan '08

11 Jan '08

Hello Does anyone have any experience of running a sequencer with an IC-1271A? Contact off list. -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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AO-51 demo Saturday morning (12 January)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Hi! I will be part of the AMSAT table at the ThunderBird Amateur Radio Club's "Westfest" in Glendale, Arizona, Saturday morning. As part of the AMSAT table, I will do on-air demonstrations using AO-51 during the 1407 and 1545 UTC passes. For the demonstrations, I will use my call WD9EWK. The hamfest is indoors, in the Activity Center at the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in Glendale - a west-side suburb of the Arizona capital, Phoenix, in grid DM33vo. Demonstrations will be done outside the building, similar to how AMSAT's demonstrations are done at Dayton. The hamfest hours are 7am-12 noon (1400-1900 UTC). More information about the hamfest can be found at: http://www.w7tbc.org/Westfest.html I hope to work some of you during these two passes. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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AO-51 Status
by Clint Bradford 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

The AO-51 Control Team wasn't overly optimistic regarding my demo of AO-51 in DM14 last night at 7:14pm PST... But AO-51 performed tremendously! We worked Mexico and a couple California stations...and actually went back inside the meeting room only about half way through the pass for my presentation. Clint Bradford, K6LCS / KAF3359 909-241-7666

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Mapping contacts
by Ed Tump 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Folks, Are there ways to have an image like a map of the US and update it with each satellite contact? Where the map would show my home QTH and then show a dot, icon, etc, where the contacts grid is? This would be something I could keep as an image or print when needed. Thanks, Ed

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ICOM 910
by Andrew Rich 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Need some advice. Can I do this with the ICOM 910 ? 1. Run ISS independantly on VFOA with a 1200 baud TNC. (and TX) 2. Run GO-32 / AO-51 on the sub band (RX only) 9k6 - WITH an AG-35 preamp in line ? >From what I am reading, the AG-35 or AG-25 for that matter, are powered up the coax ?? I have a KPC9612 TNC with seperate 1200 9k6 ports. That should work out nicely ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Re: Mapping contacts
by Keith N4ZQ 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Take a look at VQLog by EA6VQ. It handles grid squares very well with a nice map presentation. http://www.vhfdx.net/vqlog.html Keith N4ZQ -- "Ed Tump" <ed(a)squaretfarm.com> wrote: Folks, Are there ways to have an image like a map of the US and update it with each satellite contact? Where the map would show my home QTH and then show a dot, icon, etc, where the contacts grid is? This would be something I could keep as an image or print when needed. Thanks, Ed _______________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Live the good life! Click now for great retirement planning assistance! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4tGVVj4Lc3l5Uz6AUBsE0a…

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Plotting QSOs on a map
by PDC 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Ed Tump said: *Are there ways to have an image like a map of the US and update it with each satellite contact? Where the map would show my home QTH and then show a dot, icon, etc, where the contacts grid is? This would be something I could keep as an image or print when needed.* Personally, I use Google Earth (http://earth.google.com) for my QSO plotting needs. Although you'll have to enter the QSOs by hand. The Google Earth software is free for the downloading, and once you have the software you can see plots of my QSOs for last year and this year at http://www.squidzone.ca/ve3oij Another ham was working on a better presentation within Google Earth, but at the most basic level, you can enter your QSOs and show them as icons on the globe. You can convert grids to lat/long at http://www.amsat.org/amsat/toys/ for plotting them on Google Earth Darin Cowan VE3OIJ

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Re: ICOM 910
by George Henry 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

-----Original Message----- >From: Andrew Rich <vk4tec(a)people.net.au> >Sent: Jan 10, 2008 4:14 AM >To: Dave Aitch <dave(a)g1ocn.com> >Cc: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: ICOM 910 > >IC-910 Arrived today > >Man - nice radio > >Sorry to my old ft-736, but a new car is in the garage. > > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Andrew Rich VK4TEC >vk4tec(a)people.net.au <mailto:vk4tec@people.net.au> >http://www.tech-software.net Congratulations on the new rig! I borrowed a 910H for Field Day 2001, and loved it so much I ran out and bought my own. Never looked at anything else, and have never looked back. 73, George, KA3HSW

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Cable question
by Ollie Eisman 10 Jan '08

10 Jan '08

Hi everyone, I would like to use a G-5500 rotor on top of a 20' telescopic mast with 2m and 70cm sat antennas. Assuming this isn't a bad idea to begin with, my next goal is to find RF cables that will work best with this type of tower given it will be raised and lowered frequently, thus causing a lot of extra cable flex. (I am not even sure of the best way to run cables up the to rotors when the mast is telescopic - ideas?) I am looking at 20+' for the tower plus another 50' or so back to the shack. An suggestions? Love those covenants... :) 73, Ollie, AJ1O

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Use of AmSat logo
by Ed Tump 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Folks, I noticed some folks use the logo on their web sites. Is this allowed freely or must one obtain written permission from AmSat? 73, Ed KC9GWK Grid EN52 AmSat Member

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Re: GPredict for Windoze
by Keith N4ZQ 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Thanks everyone for your help. Google keep pointing me to http://groundstation.sourceforge.net/gpredict/index.php but as was pointed out, it was under the the older 0.8.0 version and not the newest 0.9.0. Duh !! Keith N4ZQ -- "Keith N4ZQ" <n4zq(a)netzero.net> wrote: Anyone know where I can find the file gpredict-x.y.z-win32.zip ? Google not helping much.. Keith N4ZQ _____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ 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 _____________________________________________________________ Click here to save cash and find low rates on auto loans. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4uZMZGzTLCmDfZ0gBtUlJp…

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LVB tracker questions
by Andrew Rich 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

1. Some other designs use a variable supply to calibrate the rotator position - what does the LVB do ? 2. Does the LVB tracker get a command, move the antenna around, and shut out any other commands, untill it gets the first command sorted ? 3. What does the LVB tracker show on the screen ? 4. What protocols does the LVB tracker work with ? 5. I heard mention that the LVB does a few samples of the A/D to make sure it has a valid result from the pot's 6. The cct diagram shows two diodes, connected to each az and el a/d input, what do they do ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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What has happened to AMSAT Australia ?
by Andrew Rich 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

What has happened to amsat australia ? Has it died a natural death ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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GPredict for Windoze
by Keith N4ZQ 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Anyone know where I can find the file gpredict-x.y.z-win32.zip ? Google not helping much.. Keith N4ZQ _____________________________________________________________ Click now to save big on brand name luggage. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4tn9Ym6EWxaQnG3hmycdok…

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OLPC positions and MESH-ing
by Bob Bruninga 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

> In the DC area, I think we have several > Hams with XO's. Maybe we should schedule > a meeting and show-and-tell so that everyone > can benefit from the fruits of our efforts? Actually, I would like to build a map of all HAMS with OLPC's to help us play and possibly MESH together.. The map will include both your home and work locations which are two places where you might have your OLPC laptop for meshing. If you are retired, then include any other place you may frequent. Just email me your CALL, and LAT/LONGs for both of your locations. If you have other daily locations you may add them too. ALso indicate how many OLPC's you have. Here is the preferred format: WB4APR:3909.12N/07629.34Wl Home, with access to 3 OLPC's The LAT/LONG is in DEG and decimal minutes. The two spaces after the decimal points are for hundredths of minutes. If you replace them with two spaces, then your position can remain ambiguous to the nearest mile, if you like. The "l" (lower case L) after the W is the laptop symbol. Everything after that is free text to describe your OLPC. Those that are into APRS can go ahead and just change your normal APRS station to the LAPTOP symbol for the next week or so, and I can capture your posit that way electronically. > TO make it easy to compute the centroid > of local OLPC's, everyone could beacon > their position on APRS using the LAPTOP > symbol with a note about their OLPC. > Then we can pick the centroid to plan a meeting... Thanks! Bob, WB4APR

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ISS Track
by Andrew Rich 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

I have changed the way the map is handled on my ISS tracking page. Does this load faster ? http://vk4tec.no-ip.org/cgi-bin/iss_track3.cgi ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Journal Articles
by Ed Long 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Hi Everyone, We're coming up on the time when I need article submissions for the Jan/Feb 08 Journal. If you have an article to submit I would love to have it as soon as possible. The last couple of issues have been late going out due to lack of content and slow submissions. I would appreciate your help in getting something to me quickly if you have an article. Thanks and Happy New Year! 73, Ed Long, WA4SWJ Editor, The AMSAT Journal

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Icom IC-820H For Sale
by John Henderson 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

I have a very clean IC-820H for sale. It is cosmetically and electronically like new, very clean. Has the HM-36 hand mike and the original manual. Have been using it for ISS and digital modes and have switched over to my 821H. $490 plus shipping. John John Henderson N4NAB 212 Bayside Drive Cape Carteret, NC 28584 252-725-2744 <mailto:n4nab@amsat.org> n4nab(a)amsat.org <http://www.amsat.org/> http://www.amsat.org/

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San Antonio Radio Fiesta - Jan 12
by Bruce 09 Jan '08

09 Jan '08

Mahana, W5BTS, and I will be at the San Antonio Radio Club 2008 Amateur Radio Fiesta (their hamfest) on Saturday, January 12, 2008. I will be on UHF/VHF satellites giving demos from 8am-1pm. We will also have an AMSAT table setup. Look forward to working everyone from Schertz, Texas 78154 Grid EL09 Look for us on AO-51, SO-50 and AO-27. 73...bruce -- Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0200z on W0KIE new satellite soon. Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com Latest satellite news on the ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org

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AO-27 web site down, update on Java Schedule Lister
by George Henry 08 Jan '08

08 Jan '08

www.ao27.org appears to be down again... Inasmuch as my son has graduated from college and will soon be losing the school web space where the Java AO-27 Schedule Lister has been hosted, I have proposed that it be hosted at the AMSAT web site. Until it is, those interested in downloading it may do so at http://home.earthlink.net/~ka3hsw/ao27 . It is available as either a platform-independent Java applet (Java runtime environment v1.4 or higher required) or as a Windows .EXE (Java runtime environment also required). I will upload the most recent TOPR.TXT and SCHEDULE.TXT files to my Earthlink page as well since the AO-27 site is down, making updating of those files impossible for now, otherwise (just copy them into the folder where you put the .JAR or .EXE) I have also asked my son if he can make the Schedule tab update in real time, instead of being a one-shot like it is now. (you can refresh it by just toggling over to the List tab and back). I will make the updated version available as soon as he gets it to me. 73, George, KA3HSW

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A query.
by John Hackett 08 Jan '08

08 Jan '08

Hi all, Does anyone have any current information on the whereabouts/state of the SUMBANDILA (lit: 'pathfinder') satellite that was built by Stellenbosch universdity. South Africa. The last I heard - (a year ago) - it had gone for "testing". This satellite with a 2m/70cm transponder was to be launched at the end of 2006 ... then May 2007 ... it is now January 2008 and I can't recall seeing any pertinent info: on any of the bulletin boards. If anyone has any 'recent' information I'd appreciate a hands-up. 73 John. <la2qaa(a)amsat.org>

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Re: A query.
by George Henry 08 Jan '08

08 Jan '08

-----Original Message----- >From: Chris Bloy <chris(a)photofuture.co.uk> >Sent: Jan 8, 2008 6:53 AM >To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org >Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: A query. > >[snip} >Sorry to rant, and please dont flame me, but I joined AMSAT to get more >information and get involved! This doesnt make me want to donate to >something I cannot see or know about.. > >Thats my pennies worth.... > >Chris > Look at it this way, Chris: the more people who join/donate, the more resources there are available to build & launch satellites, and to keep the web sites up to date! You say you joined to get involved: if you see a need, how about stepping up to fill it? AMSAT needs people just as much as it needs money... Do you have the skills to volunteer to be part of the Web site team? 73, George, KA3HSW

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