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

MC1317x circuit
by Andy Brian 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hello all, I'm testing a few Motorola's MC13176 and MC 13175 for future cubesat UHF and VHF FM-voice transmitter, if anyone have good circuit for that way application I'll be very gratefull. I know that many of you tried this IC for cubesat but, on internet I found only PDF but no circuit which were used for cubesat like STENSAT, DARSAT etc.. Thanks for your help best regards, Andy

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trackbox for multiple rotor pairs?
by Eric Fort 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Does anyone know of a trackbox that will drive multiple pairs of rotors? Eric

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Yaesu GS-232A schematic?
by Dave hartzell 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Hello all, Does anyone have a Yaesu GS-232A schematic? I had a bit of a power "burp" in my shack. I seemed to have burnt up L1003, a ferrite inductor immediately connected to the power reception. Other components look OK, including the 5v regulator. Anyone know the value? Thanks and 73, Dave AF6KD

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FO-29 Telemetry 16 Nov 2008 from FM18
by DeYoung James 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Greetings, The structure temperatures now decode as positive values rather than negative values. A sampling of FO-29 telemetry taken on 2008 November 16 16:35 TO 16:43 UTC hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 82 c2 94 96 f1 79 af ac ae af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 81 62 94 96 f0 62 af ac ae af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 09 24 01 00 81 62 94 96 f0 67 af ac ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7d 62 94 96 f0 79 af ac ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7a 62 94 96 f0 7d af ab ad af af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 00 24 01 01 7a 62 94 96 f0 85 af ab ad ae af hi hi 22 e2 88 d5 8f 05 05 25 09 24 01 01 7f 62 94 96 f1 85 af ab ad ae af --------- Data 1 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1274.5 [mA] Battery Current 1802.4 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.6 [V] Analog Tx Power 688.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.3 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 2 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1264.7 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 538.9 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.3 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 3 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 0.0 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1264.7 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 571.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 4 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1225.5 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 688.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.1 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 5 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1196.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 714.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 13.9 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 6 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1196.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.5 [V] Analog Tx Power 766.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 14.3 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] --------- Data 7 --------- Main Relay ON : DCM ON SRAM OFF : Packet OFF JTA ON : JTD OFF GAS OFF : SAS OFF : UVC ON UVC Level 1 : PCU Mode AUTO PCU Level 3 : Battery Mode TRIC Battery Logic TRIC : Digitalker Mode OFF : UVC ACT/PAS PAS CPU RUN/RESET RUN : Spin Period 8356.0 [msec] Sun Angle 72.5 [deg] GAS-Z 490.2 [nT] GAS-X 490.2 [nT] Solar Panel Current 1245.1 [mA] Battery Current -79.2 [mA] Battery Voltage 15.9 [V] Battery Middle Voltage 7.2 [V] Bus Voltage 23.6 [V] Analog Tx Power 766.4 [mW] Structure Temp. 1 13.9 [C] Structure Temp. 2 15.5 [C] Structure Temp. 3 14.7 [C] Structure Temp. 4 14.3 [C] Battery Cell Temp. 13.9 [C] N8OQ Jim FM18lu

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FO29 last pass from W9VNE
by Jim Danehy 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Yes I was able to work UT1FG/MM on SSB in Grid Square GM28 and also worked WP4CNU in Grid Square FK78 . . . both had S9 signals and gave me the same report . . .I also heard some state side stations but did not record their call signs . . . FO 29 was alive and well in EM79tb 73 Jim W9VNE EM79tb

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FO-29
by WCP 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Anybody hear FO-29 last pass ? (14:50 ) Nothing in EN71

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Some doppler observations/questions
by Mark Lunday, WD4ELG 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

I am using HRD with Sat tracker module (thanks, Simon!) I notice that for the non-FM birds I am working (AO7, FO29, VO52) the Doppler is never quite exact. Or I guess I should say there seems to be a constant *offset* that needs to be included in the Doppler calc. Tonight on AO7 mode B pass, my actual downlink frequency seemed to be about 4 kHz lower than what it should be according to the Doppler. As the bird passed by, I followed the "one true rule" and only adjusted the higher freq (uplink in this case). It was consistently about 4 kHz lower. On FO29 pass, there seemed to be about a 2 kHz offset. When the bird passed overhead, the Doppler "flipped" quickly and I had to find my signal again. How can I consistently determine this offset so I can include it in with the Doppler correction? Or is it on a case-by-case basis? PS Thanks, Frank, K9CIS, for the nice CW rag chew on FO29 tonight. Mark Lunday WD4ELG wd4elg(a)arrl.net http://wd4elg.net

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AO 7 comments
by Jim Danehy 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Mark (WD4ELG) Thanks for the comment on my CW signal . . . I prefer CW so I attempt to generate some activity on AO 7 whenever I can . . . hope to catch you on Sunday . . . RE : doppler . . . . my experience is that doppler is pretty dynamic rather than static . . . a lot of variables such as height, angle to your QTH that change from pass to pass . . . I use SatPC32 to control the doppler . . . i have made up a little chart for the non-FM birds and dial in the adjustment (to the uplink) before the pass . . . . I notice that on AO7 when I work Europe (a very low elevation for me) that I need to dial in a lot more adjustment (almost 2 khz) . . . . I use an Icom 910H and its RIT is limited to 1 khz which is a little bit of a pain . . . . i have the RIT on and like to be able to use it on stations that do not use computer control of their rigs . . . I do not think you can "nail" the frequency consistently . . . in my experience on the non-FM satellites it is just something you take into account . . . You ask about the activity level too . . . well all of the non-FM satellites suffer from relative lack of use compared to the FM satellites. Doppler is not as much of a factor because of the FM signal's width . . . . I use the AFC (automatic frequency control) on my 910 too in FM mode which really solves the (doppler) problem . . . I think the doppler effect on non FM signals is really too much for many of the users . . . that signal really moves around albeit in the same direction . . . use of a computer to control it reduces the number of successful users . . . I do hear people struggling (as I did) to get the doppler issue under control . . . I also think that there is a lot more FM rigs in use compared to the multi mode rigs . . . thus more relative activity . . in sorting through my collection of QSLs from satellite QSOs I find that there is a preponderance of HTs . . I do not use an HT even on the FM birds . . One more thing : AO 7 is really old ( 1974 ) and suffers from old age (very sensitive to the use of high power) I usually use 5 watts on CW . . . today I worked K9CIS who was using 7/10ths of a watt . . . we rag chewed for 10 minutes . . . anyone who uses excess power causes the transponder on AO 7 to sound choppy with the offending signal being heard up and down the band in 3 or 4 places, often making AO 7 unusable for many. . . I stick to CW and use the CW filter which helps me overcome the hash that is generated by stations using too much power . . . . folks really need to keep their ERP (effective radiated power) down to 100 watts or less on AO7. That means if you are using 25 watts output your antenna should not exceed 6 db gain (a factor of 4 times). Most satellite users on non FM birds use yagis that have 10 db + or more gain which means they should keep their power to 10 watts . . . unfortunately that remains a problem . . .more is less in that situation . . Look forward to exchanging reports with you . . . 73 Jim W9VNE EM79tb

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ao-50 first contact
by Eric Fort 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

Finally worked my first sat contact ever tonight on S0-50 toward the end of the 17:13-17:26 local pass from DM14gk to DM43. thanks to WD9EWK in DM43 for the contact. 73 DE AF6EP, ERIC AF6EP DM14GK PS: WD9EWK, PLEASE CONTACT FOR QSL INFO.

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AO-51 Images
by WCP 16 Nov '08

16 Nov '08

John where are they posted ?

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