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

AO-16 Success!
by John Marranca, Jr 24 Jan '08

24 Jan '08

The 2045z pass of AO-16 was fantastic! Without any difficulty, I was able to work VE3NPC, VE2DWE, W2XB (here in FN02), and AA4FL! (Boy...SSB Doppler is a bigger challenge!) Many many thanks to the Ground Team for doing such a great job resurrecting this satellite. Happy Birthday AO-16! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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Re: AO-16
by Clare Fowler 24 Jan '08

24 Jan '08

Great to have one of the microsats back again; Heard myself on 19:00 pass but no one else around but on 20:35 pass lots of activity and some of the usual QRMing with single channel FM uplink. Very easy to work and no trouble following doppler on SSB downlink. Worked AA4FL, VE2DWE, N4ZQ, KB2HSH, W2XB and K2MO. and just about everyone worked everyone. Clare VE3NPC

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Command Team Congrats
by Bill Greene 24 Jan '08

24 Jan '08

Fantastic work Command Team! Now I have to get my antennas back configured to give it a try........well I think I will wait till the temperature gets a bit warmer , currently it is -16 C. Again great job to everyone involved. Regards, Bill Greene VE7WFG Armstrong BC DO00jk Amsat 29777

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WTB: Paccomm PSK-1T
by Mark L. Hammond 24 Jan '08

24 Jan '08

Hello All, I am interested in buying a Paccomm PSK-1T (if the price is right). This is the unit with a built-in TNC. It would be useful for commanding AO-16.... If you have such a beast collecting dust, please reply directly to me at: n8mh(a)amsat.org Thanks! -- Mark L. Hammond [N8MH]

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UO-11 up and running
by Mark M 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Found UO-11 data beacon up and running on 145.825 on my 0249-0302 utc 20080123 pass. Please give a listen and let Clive, G3CWV at g3cwv(a)amsat.org know how well you have heard it, and that I was not imagining it. It was doing very well here without preamp on a 46 degree elevation pass. S7-9. With the preamp it flat lined 60 over plus.

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Re: FYI -- One Laptop per Child (OLPC) Opportunity
by Tom Clark, K3IO 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

(I posted this a couple of days ago, but it was never released from amsat.org limbo. So I resend. My order for OLPC went in today -- they accept either PayPal or plastic -- Tom) Another thing I gleaned from the OLPC wiki is that it supports FORTH (start at http://wiki.laptop.org/go/Forth_Lesson_0). Karl (DJ4ZC) designed Phase-3A back in the late 1970's and the onboard computer (IHU) used the computer language that Karl wrote called IPS (Interpreter for Process Structures) based on FORTH, but with German syntax and multi-tasking real-time support. Several of us (W0PN, W1HDX, ZL1WN, DB2OS & I) ported the German "dialect" of IPS into English and the "Gerglish" IPS has served as the basis for running all the Phase-3 IHUs up thru AO-40 (thanks to the efforts of W4SM and G3RUH). IPS is also planned for P3-E (N4HY already has it running on the new IHU) and probably P5. As another possible AMSAT/OLPC synergy, I can easily envision the OLPC Forth kernel being adapted to real-time control tasks with the addition of Karl's "chain". Although it is really modest compared to the normal laptop, Nick Negroponte and his team has really come up with a platform that has amazing possibilities! Meanwhile, ASUS has introduced their commercial Linux-based "Eee" miniature notebook that is already available ($399 from Amazon <http://www.google.com/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BuJiyAGg3R9XlK4iaeuyDjLIMqprePM7t…>) -- Just Google ASUS Eee <http://www.google.com/search?q=Asus+Eee&sourceid=navclient-ff&ie=UTF-8&rlz=…> or see the Eee wiki entry <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ASUS_Eee_PC#Storage> for details. 73, Tom

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eeepc
by Andrew Rich 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

I am thinking of getting an eeepc and putting perl, predict, gpredict and tunring it into a sat tracking device. Does anyone know if that would not be possible ? ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andrew Rich VK4TEC vk4tec(a)people.net.au http://www.tech-software.net

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Re: AO-16 reconfigured.
by Tom Clark, K3IO 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

The news from Drew and the AO-16 command team came as a most pleasant surprise to me. As Drew said

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EA4TX RCI-SE & Yaesu G-5500 Rotor
by Gary Schuchardt 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Hi Is anyone using the EA4TX RCI-SE Interface Board with a Yaesu G-5500 Rotor? If so, please advise. I would like to compare notes on a couple configuration settings. I am using Nova for Windows tracking software. Which satellite tracking software are you using? Thank You. Gary Chesapeake VA N0EZH

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AO-16 Contacts 2118Z 1/21/08
by John Henderson 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Kudos to the AO-16 team....!!!! I have been copying telemetry on this bird for a couple of months and to hear real voices instead of hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm is way cool. Made two contacts :WB9PNU AND N3SZH! W/R 73 John John Henderson N4NAB 212 Bayside Drive Cape Carteret, NC 28584

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ARISS Telebridge Stations Needed!
by Stefan Wagener 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

The International ARISS (Amateur Radio on the International Space Station) Team is seeking your help: Do you want to be part of the international network of ground stations that help support Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) operations? ARISS is looking to add numerous ground stations capable of relaying ISS amateur radio sessions with schools and also serve as back up communications relays should they be needed. Locations worldwide will be considered, but of greatest interest is the need for stations in Central America, South America, Falkland Islands, Western Australia, Canada, and Alaska. The following are guidelines for stations wanting to be considered: - Third Party agreement with United States or waiver from their telecom agency - Ability to speak and understand English - Minimal horizon obstructions - 24/7 access and availability of station - operator(s) willing to support scheduled contacts at various times - Phone patch - AZ/EL tracking satellite system, preferably an auto tracking system with the capability for manual override - Multi-element yagis for 2 meters and 70 cm (Circular polarity preferred) - Pre-amps - Transmit output greater than 70 watts NOTE: If you can specify your station's EIRP and receive sensitivity (thereby taking into account cable losses, pre-amps and antenna gain), it would be greatly appreciated. Stations that can support the following will be given special consideration, but these items are not required: - Auto Doppler adjustment of frequencies - Ability to speak and understand languages other than English - 1.2 and 2.4 GHz satellite hardware - Packet - SSTV - Digital ATV - Redundant power system - High-speed internet If you or your club would like to be considered for selection as one of the new ARISS telebridge stations then send an email with details about your station and contact information to: ARISS-telebridge(a)amsat.org. 73, Stefan VE4NSA

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AO-51 L-band/S-Band
by Jeff Mock 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Are the L-band receiver and S-band transmitter ever powered up on AO-51? I can't find a schedule listing these things. I apologize if it's a silly question, I'm new to satellite stuff. jeff AD6EO

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AO-16 2258z
by John Marranca, Jr 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Well....I have to get used to the Doppler Shift with a SSB downlink. I announced my call, and heard it...but subsequently lost the call of station calling me. Nevertheless...it was very good at 13 degrees elevation. Can't wait for tomorrow's passes!! John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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AO-16 Report
by John Germanos 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Just had FB qso's with John N4NAB and Joe K3SZH via AO-16. Seems to work fine. Goods signals reported both ways. John WB9PNU AmSat 35477

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Re: AO-16 reconfigured
by John Marranca, Jr 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

I think this is FANTASTIC news!!! What I've noted about AO-16 is exactly what you mentioned, Drew...I too have copied TLM from 16 at 1-5 degrees with an eggbeater and NO preamp. It amazes me every time I hear just how robust 16's signal still is. Great work! Can't wait for the next pass. John KB2HSH -- _______________________________ John Marranca, Jr PBX Technician/Shop Steward CWA Local 1122 BN Systems, Inc Orchard Park, NY (716)972-2006

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AMSAT Awards
by Bruce 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

We are starting 2008 with a bang.... a lot of awards processing so far. We would like to welcome the following to the satellite community. They have made their first satellite contact and are now members of the AMSAT Satellite Communicators Club. Amber Doolittle, KD0BQR Ed Tump, KC9GWK Terry Dillard, KI4YZI H. David Johnson, KE7FDP Bryan Jarman, KE7PEE AMSAT Communication Achievement Award Ollie Eisman, AJ1O, #458 South Africa AMSAT Communication Achievement Award Ollie Eisman, AJ1O, #US117 To see all the awards visit http://www.amsat.org or http://www.amsatnet.com Bruce Paige, KK5DO AMSAT Director Contests and Awards ARRL Awards Manager (WAS, 5BWAS, VUCC), VE Houston AMSAT Net - Wed 0100z on W0KIE Intelsat Americas, T1, 6.8Mhz Also streaming MP3 at http://www.amsatnet.com

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Longwood (Orlando FLA)
by Robert Bruninga 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

Im looking for a ham volunteer near Longwood Florida. This is NE Orlando. This is related to the Meteor Scatter 6m project we mentioned before. This is kinda short fuse. We have located a few dozen 6 meter radios in a warehouse there, but only have 5 days to act on it. We may need someone to go take a look and make sure this is not a pig in a poke. Reply to bruninga(a)usna.edu Bob, WB4APR

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HAARP TEST curious feedback echo
by Luc Leblanc 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

First the echo's where really the reflected one's from the moon. I recheck my 75meg of audio recording of the 0730UTC January 20 test and i found a very special long echo that i put on my web page with the spectran snap shop showing this echo. What is curious is that i never received the direct signal from the HAARP site in Alaska how can we explain this very long echo who look like a feedback sound as if the signal was "rereflected"! just note the 2 peaks on the signal in the spectran image. Is it possible that i received the direct signal from Alaska for only 4 seconds on more than hour of recording? Here is the link for my web page. www.qsl.net/ve2dwe "-" Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Signal source for 2.4ghz
by Luc Leblanc 23 Jan '08

23 Jan '08

> > At $2, it was all I used to hack and tweak my downconverter. I got > this idea from a VE2 ham's webpages, but I can't seem to google them > up right now. Here is yours link: http://ve2zaz.net/SigSourc/SigSourc.htm You can try also some cheap analog 2.4ghz telephone a bit out of our band but this tell you if your DC is working Luc Leblanc VE2DWE Skype VE2DWE www.qsl.net/ve2dwe WAC BASIC CW PHONE SATELLITE

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Newbie Question on AO-51
by Terry Dillard 22 Jan '08

22 Jan '08

I am a relatively new Tech learning to work the LEOs, and have a question specific to AO-51. On AO-51's status page at AmSat.org, it lists a Mode V/U (J) "QRP" frequency with no PL tone, and a Mode V/U (J) frequency with a PL tone of 67.0 Hz. What's considered the maximum wattage to operate on QRP? Also, since I've never operated on the "PL" frequency, is it even active? Do "non-QRPers" use it, is it available? Thanks for the help! -- Terry Dillard, KI4YZI www.ki4yzi.com "Veritas Vos Liberabit"

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WTB (maybe) 2.4 downconverter
by kg0mw＠greatplainsphotography.com 22 Jan '08

22 Jan '08

Does anyone have any of the old mmc downconverters laying around that they might want to sell? thanks, chad kg0mw

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Suitsat deployment non-streaming video wanted
by Howard Long 22 Jan '08

22 Jan '08

Folks I have a presentation to give tonight and I'd like to see if I can show a video of the Suitsat deployment. Let me know of any URL's! Thanks, Howard G6LVB

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PSLV launch - Delphi-C3 too?
by DeYoung James 22 Jan '08

22 Jan '08

Greetings all, I noticed this morning that the Indian PSLV launched monday 2007 January 21st at 03:45 UTC. I believe this means Delphi-C3 should be in orbit. There is nothing on the Delft mission status web page yet as of this writing, however. http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n0801/21pslv/ Best regards, KG4QWC ____________________________________________________________________________________ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

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AMSAT DC?
by Doug Kuitula 21 Jan '08

21 Jan '08

Hi all, Has the date and location been set for the AMSAT-DC meeting? Just want to see if I'll be able to make it. 73 de Doug KA8QCU

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Fw: Re:FO-29 Status
by JA0CQP 21 Jan '08

21 Jan '08

> Auke, > > At the FO-29, solar cells generate 16--18W of Power. > This means that when the bird was in sunlight, this > amount of power is enogh for linear transponder operation. > > If the cause of battery failure was internal short, then > FO-29 will be hopeless. > However, if the cause of battery failure was "open-mode" > by high impedance internaly, then FO-29 will be kept > in operation, provided solar cells receives enough sunlight. > (Operational only in no-eclipse period) > > (If the batteries which went to braking-down of AO-40 > became "Open-Mode",then may be able to bring AO-40 > back to life.) > > 73s, > > Toyo Komatsu > JA0CQP >

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