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

Re: gpredict
by Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

I didn't say that the denigration was always valid, but we used to switch an 11/45 betwen RSTS and V6 (I think) Unix and could handle as many users, and those users could do a lot more. System V was later and known as a pig, even then, which lead to BSD Unix. I actually liked DOS-11 a lot, for a single-user system. 73, doug Date: Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:50:44 -0500 From: Anthony Monteiro <aa2tx(a)comcast.net> At 01:10 PM 1/29/2008, Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 wrote: >Err, the DEC machines that ran Unix were (mostly) '11's and VAXen, and >while it may not be in the literature, there was a LOT of denigration >of the DEC-provided OS's, like DOS, VMS, RSTS, and RSX. > > Nate Duehr wrote: > > On Jan 28, 2008, at 11:32 PM, don wrote: > > > >> The PDP series ran unix, and I still have the original Bell System > >> Journals here at home describing the philosophy and design behind the > >> unix system. I tried over the last few days of re reading these > >> journals > >> to find any reference to the denigrating of any other systems or their > >> users... Are linux users and prophets now straying far from the > >> original > >> tracks for unix? > > > >I picked up my first Unix disk by going to Murray Hills and being loaned >an RK05 pack to take it back in my van (which had PDP-11 license >plates). Hi Doug! I worked at Bell Labs back then and guess what? When we needed good performance, we used VMS! The first release of UNIX System V did not have demand paged virtual memory but VMS did so it was significantly faster for big jobs like chip layouts and simulations. A very simple chip back then (2.5 micron) took overnight on a dedicated VAX11/780 to do the layout and simulation. Of course, this was a 1 MIPS machine (and that is being polite.) The original WeCo 3B2 mini computers were actually slower than even the cheapest IBM PC running DOS partly because the UNIX implementations were so bad (again no demand paged VM.) On the outside we probably laughed at DOS and VMS but on the inside we knew the truth! Enjoy the memories (some of them virtual and written to /DEV/NULL in my case!) 73, Tony AA2TX

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Video of indoor, ultra-cheap cubesat operations
by Bruce Robertson 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

I had a chance to do some more listening in on CO-55 using my FT-817 radio and a 1/4 wave ground-plane made of wire and a BNC. Given the number of all-band, all-mode radios that are available now, I think a simple experiment like this could be great fun to many hams, especially those who might fear that satellite operations of any sort are prohibitively expensive. In hopes of illustrating to them and others, I made a short video of the actual reception, to be viewed here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1251407580465862002 The audio does not do justice to the CW reception: it seems to roll off in the low frequencies so I was able to copy the telemetry much better than it might seem. I was tempted to process the audio, but I figured people know that these sorts of video recordings have crummy audio. I suppose the video needs some contextualizing for non-Amsat folks, but it's a start.

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Re: Macbook and U232-P9 serial U232-P9
by Bill Howell 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Andrew, This may or may not help... I use a Keyspan USA-19HS with Mac (non-Intel) and Windows. Here's a link http://www.keyspan.com/products/usa19hs/ Bill Howell

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Ande Deorbit award received
by john heath 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Trying to capture the very last telemetry frames from Ande as it de-orbited was a lot of fun. Chasing the award made it even more exciting. Thanks guys for a great job in creating this award, and following through with such slick execution. I received the award in the mail today, beautifully presented, and signed by Mike DK3WN. 73 John g7hia

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SAT contacts for WAS AWARD
by David Bird 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

HI ALL, I AM ALMOST THERE JUST HAVE 3 MORE STATES TO GO.I NEED DELAWARE, MAINE,AND ROAD ISLAND! PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.TNX AND 73 DE KC7USS _________________________________________________________________ Helping your favorite cause is as easy as instant messaging. You IM, we give. http://im.live.com/Messenger/IM/Home/?source=text_hotmail_join

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AO-27 Telem
by Chris Bloy 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Hi All, Can anyone tell me how to decode the telemetry from AO27? I have tried to use MIXW in Packet mode and RTTY mode, but all I seem to get is the date and nothing else? I even tried to feed it through AGWE to see if that would work.. I use AO27 all the time and use a minidisc recorder to record my passes, and always capture the telem data at the end.. it would be good if someone could help me out on this one? Thanks, Chris

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Re: Long time eclipse prediction
by John Marranca, Jr 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Chris: Put Orbitron into simulated mode and manually advance it 1 day at a time....you'll see the eclipse or lack thereof first-hand.... 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: A considerate operating practice on FM (one channel) satellites
by John Marranca, Jr 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

Likewise....trying to connect to the ISS BBS during PRIMETIME HOURS. Plenty of folks I talk with are getting fed up with it. 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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Fw: A considerate operating practice on FM (one channel)satellites, Europe
by john heath 29 Jan '08

29 Jan '08

> An Excellent post from Ib > > How about we all try to get a short item in our national ham radio > magazines covering "Good Operating Practice on Satellites" (probably with > a more imaginative headline...) > > I expect that most people on this bb know how to behave on the satellites, > its the less experienced ops. who need the guidance. > > 73 John g7hia

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Re: A considerate operating practice on FM (one channel) satellites
by Dave Guimont 28 Jan '08

28 Jan '08

>Likewise....trying to connect to the ISS BBS during PRIMETIME HOURS. > >Plenty of folks I talk with are getting fed up with it. > Yes, John, Just like any other 2-user channel (FM) that is open to hundreds of operators at the same time. Of course, the answer is, bandwidth on ssb/cw like was done years ago!! The attempt at promoting HT radio, because of expense and a little degree of difficulty, has obviously been a failure... And obviously some ulterior motive, and it has really cost AMSAT-NA.. It sold some HT's probably, which is OK, but put AMSAT-NA pre OSCAR 1!! Other worldwide AMSAT's have apparently figured it out!! And amateur satellite radio will survive.... 73, Dave, WB6LLO dguimon1(a)san.rr.com Disagree: I learn.... Pulling for P3E...

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