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

big rock
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

Meteor scatter anyone? http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/10/06/asteroid.fireball/index.html?eref=… -- 73 Bob W7LRD AMSAT member 28498 Seattle

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vucc
by Jim Danehy 07 Oct '08

07 Oct '08

I am a long time supporter of the ARRL. They needed, in my opinion, to give a lot of notice to the changes to the standards being applied in the VUCC program. Folks are taking time and spending money to put on rare grids and it goes down the drain if they find out the rules changed. That is called detrimental reliance. Please give a lot of NOTICE to changes. Folks act on the rules that they have become accustomed to over long periods of time. Yes, any operator needs to check the rules before they act. Changes need PUBLICITY too. That did not occur here with the VUCC changes in this instance. END OF MY STORY 73 Jim W9VNE EM79tb

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Re: Programming language recommendation?
by RFI-EMI-GUY 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

I am working on a couple of projects lately. Working with discrete parts was starting to get tedious so I decided to use a small micro controller so that my parts count and wiring would be minimal. If you are interested in working with small Microchip processors, this is an easy and cheap way to start.go to the software page and download the FREE PICAXE® Programming Editor Software (free download). I bought a programmer board kit and qty 5 08M chips (Microchip 12F683) for $38 shipped from a US distributor. http://www.rev-ed.co.uk/picaxe/ You can begin programming and simulating even without the chips on hand. Using the flow chart tool, I have created code for a model rocket beacon and with help of my son a repeater controller accepting 4 COR inputs. Multiplexing the COR inputs was stumping me until my son intervened. Both of these projects simulate well with the above software. Soon I will download to chips and try out on breadboard. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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FS - Surplus to requirements.
by Dave Aitch 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

For sale - UK ONLY. VHF/UHF multi-element beam on one boom £ 50:00 PALSTAR PS-50 A beast of a PSU £115:00 OSCAR VHF Polarphaser £ 50:00 73, Dave. G1OCN. AMSAT UK 5766

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re; kansas city tracker tuner
by Scott Smith 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Hi, i forgot to mention... i will be using InstantTrack, i hear this unit works well with InstantTrack. 73 de VE6ITV Scott

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K/CityTracker Tuner
by Scott Smith 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Hi, could some kind individual please show me an example of an autoexec.bat with the Kansas City Tracker Tuner installed. Tnx in advance. 73 de VE6ITV Scott

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Clarification - AO-16 "award"
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Hey folks, I've already received some emails about my comments re: an award for AO-16 that I hope to earn. Please let me clarify. There is NO "official" AO-16 Award that I'm aware of, from AMSAT or any other body. I simply hope to apply for a separate and dsitinct AMSAT Satellite Achievement Award using ONLY contacts I made on AO-16 in its "bent pipe" mode. Bruce, KK5DO, has already told me there won't be any kind of special endorsement on the award if I'm able to earn it, and I'll pay the standard fees as posted on the AMSAT Web site. My interest in this is purely personal, and in large part inspired by a combination a belief in the historical significance of things that happen along the way - and my own sentimental nature. In time, I believe we will come to see the historical significance of AO-16 coming back to life and providing extra, unique and unexpected operating opportunities. That's the historical significance. The sentimentalist in me picks up on that - the ol' bird deserves to be remembered, and the only way I can think of to do that is by trying to get enough contacts to pick up a separate AMSAT Satellite Achievement Award for AO-16 contacts. My sincere apologies for the confusion I seem to have created. There is no "official" award - but maybe some of you will think the idea of remembering these seemingly last days of AO-16 in some special way is a good one. My special way will be to apply for the AMSAT award if I can get the remaining contacts I need. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL AMSAT Member No. 36820 Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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Re: Programming language recommendation?
by David Goncalves 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Forgot to add this - Flowcode uses macros to turn your flowcharts (built in a GUI very much like a schematic design tool) into C. The C is then compiled to the HEX, which you then program using your preffered tool. I've just used it to build a SMART battery charger and calibrator, where I needed to do alot of I2C communications. Finished the first versions in two days. > Flowcode for PICs is the best! You can write code for them using > simple flowcharts. > > David Goncalves > W1EUJ

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VUCC update
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Hey everyone, I've just received word from the fellow who reviewed my VUCC application - the ARRL Awards Desk HAS accepted the cards/claimed grids in question, which is very good news, indeed. Moving forward, however, all of us who plan a griDXpedition to activate some fairly quiet grid squares and intend to work passes from boundaries should plan to get additional backup while on site - just to be safe. Check out the current VUCC rules if you haven't already done so. 73 to all, Tim - N3TL AMSAT Member No. 36820 Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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VUCC proof
by n3tl＠bellsouth.net 06 Oct '08

06 Oct '08

Hey folks, Has anyone seen, anywhere, an official notice from ARRL about updated VUCC rules being posted on the League's Web site? If so, please let me know when and where that notice was posted. Sometime last month, ARRL posted a new PDF of the VUCC rules, superceding those that had been available in PDF form with a 5/08 date at the bottom. This new PDF has 9/08 at the bottom. In this new version, Rule 4 (e) reads: "(e) Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid locator simultaneously (i.e., from the boundary between two grid locators or from the intersection of four grid locators) must be physically present in all locators to give multiple locator credit with a single contact. These stations should be prepared to validate their claim. For a mobile station, this means parking the vehicle exactly on the line or corner. For a portable station, this means that the total area occupied by the station's physical setup, including operating position(s), power source(s), and antenna(s), must occupy some portion of each of the two/four grid squares simultaneously. Operators of boundary/corner stations should be prepared to provide evidence of meeting the simultaneous occupation test if called upon to do so. Two photographs -- one showing the placement of the GPS receiver in the station setup, and a close-up legibly showing the GPS reading – are typically needed as evidence of compliance. Video footage showing an overview of the operating site and then, uncut and in real time, zooming in on the GPS display coordinates is even better." For comparison, here is that same rule, 4 (e), as published in the PDF I downloaded from the ARRL Web site on August 2: "(e) Stations who claim to operate from more than one grid locator simultaneously (such as from the intersection of 4 grid locators) must be physically present in more than one locator to give multiple locator credit with a single contact. This requires the operator to know precisely where the intersection lines are located and placing the station exactly on the boundary to meet this test. To achieve this precision work requires either current markers permanently in place, or the precision work of a professional surveyor. Operators of such stations should be prepared to provide some evidence of meeting this test if called upon to do so. Multiple QSL cards are not required. GPS readings are acceptable." I have been notified (by a certified checker) that I have been denied some claimed grids from confirmed grid-border contacts that occurred before this new rule was posted, even though the operator involved provided photographic evidence to meet the "GPS readings are acceptable" language. That was the rule in effect at the time of these contacts, and nobody involved could have predicted that a second photograph might be required as evidence of specific location. I'm disappointed by all this, but it didn't cost me Satellite VUCC - thank goodness. That being said, I thought it appropriate to alert others who might be planning what I call "griDXpeditions" to keep the new rules regarding verification of precise location in mind. On September 15th, I worked a pass of AO-51 from the EN38/EN28 border while on a business trip. Not aware this rule change was about to be posted, and based on the PDF I downloaded on August 2nd, I shot a photo showing my GPS unit with coordinates out to 5 decimal points to prove I was precisely on the grid border. I quickly and easily could have taken the additional photo(s) showing the GPS sitting with my handheld satellite station in the rental car. At that time, however, I had no idea such a photo would be required. I followed the letter of the rules as I knew them. I'm disappointed that the stations I worked on that pass - the only one I was able to work from the grid border - could be denied the ability to claim those grids from their contacts with me because of this. My apologies to them if this proves to be the case. If any of you saw a notice that updated VUCC rules had been posted, please contact me. I would like to know the precise date they first appeared on the ARRL Web site. Thanks, and 73 to all, Tim - N3TL AMSAT Member No. 36820 Athens, Ga. - EM84ha

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