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

STS-9 W5LFL audio tapes
by Alan Sieg WB5RMG 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Gary -K8KFJ- said: > A year later in 1984, the ARRL introduced cassette tapes of > those STS contacts for purchase. They were produced by WA2DHF > and titled Amateur Radio in Space - W5LFL Aboard Columbia STS-9. Does anyone know if any of these tapes are still around ? I've heard bits and pieces, but I've always wondered if I ever actually made it through the brief pile-ups and into his audio log ... I know I heard him on several passes and called him back, I was mobile. Seems the first pass or two, it was not that busy - I heard more acks later. Owen lives here in Huntsville (most of the time) and I've met him on several occasions, but never wanted to trouble him with such vanity. Perhaps some transcript or call-sign log was created ... Perhaps the publisher has some copies still for sale ... Sure would be neat if in fact I could find myself in the audio. Those were exciting times, I wish I could better recall . .. . .. . .. Thanks /;^) -- <- WB5RMG is Alan Sieg * http://www.somenet.net ->

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AO51 435.150 in 9k6 telemetry mode
by Henk, PA3GUO 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Just confirming AO51 operational mode (Nov 30 / 18:00 utc) 435.300: FM repeater active (145.920 uplink) 435.150: FM 9k6 telemetry active: !S 18:01:34 !PACB-1>TIME-1:PHT: uptime is 000/18:23:42. Time is Sun Nov 30 18:01:37 2008 73, Henk PA3GUO, The Netherlands http://www.pa3guo.com

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 619 SINAD Testing
by Jeff Davis 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Hello The Net: SINAD is nice because the complete path from RF thru IF thru audio demodulation can be tested. Also a cost effective approach, Last SINAD meter I got was about 100$. It is a HELPER Instruments,Inc. model SINADDER LINEAR 5 SINAD measurements require an external signal generator, and variable attenuator. A noise figure meter can usually test the RF path or the RF thru IF path, but NOT to audio. For my HP-8970B, the IF would have to be more than 10 MHz, the low freq end of the machine. NF meters are about 10-20X $$$ the SINAD meter purchase. I use my NF meter in a Y factor mode, which is essentially a signal to noise ratio. SINAD is also a Signal to Noise ratio, with Distortion taken into consideration. (S+N+D)/(N+D). When noise is very low, and distortion is also low, thus a S/N. SINAD was used by Motorola and FM radio testing with a 1000Hz test modulation. Testing can also be used for testing SSB receivers, using a clean carrier with no modulation and tuning the RX for max signal, max S/N, max SINAD reading. Both instruments have their utility. Stan, W1LE Cape Cod, FN41sr > 2. Re: MMIC for LEO preamp? (RFI-EMI-GUY) > > _______________________________________________ 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

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AO-51
by Peter Gibson 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Thank you Drew (KO4MA)for letting us know the time AO-51 was back up and running... Thanks for your hard work Pete G7LJA

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ARISS Commemorative Event--25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space
by Frank H. Bauer 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

All, Twenty-five years ago this week, Owen Garriott, W5LFL, made history by being the first amateur radio operator to talk to hams from space. Owen's historic flight on the STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission was launched on November 28 and landed on December 8, 1983. Owen's ham radio adventure on STS-9 ushered in a host of outstanding outreach activities that continue today with the ARISS program. Many will recall that first set of contacts and downlinks with Owen. Those first contacts allowed each of us to share the excitement of space exploration through Owen's first-hand eyewitness accounts. Owen's ham radio legacy enabled space travelers that have flown on the Space Shuttle, the Space Station Mir and now the International Space Station to share their journey of exploration. And Owen's son Richard, W5KWQ just a month ago carried the torch further to become the first 2nd generation amateur rdaio operator to talk to hams from space. What other hobby, except amateur radio, could or would open the communications lines of space travelers beyond that of the space agencies or international heads of state?? To celebrate our 25 years of amateur radio operations from space, the ARISS team has planned a set of special event opportunities during the month of December and part of January. A special certificate is being developed for those who communicate with the ISS, either 2-way direct (with the ISS crew, the digipeater, or cross band repeater), or 1-way reception of SSTV or voice downlink. Several events will be described here with several "surprises" planned over the month-long celebration. The surprises will be announced once we are prepositioned to accomplish them. Specifically, the following is being planned in the near-term: ---December 1-5--in addition to school contacts and APRS digi operations, we plan to configure the radio system for cross band repeater operations. This will utilize the standard U/V operations in low power mode. ---December 7-12 we will run a test of 9600 baud packet operations on the simplex frequency 145.825 MHz. ---Given that PCSAT should be in full sun starting December 9, December 14-19 we will switch to 1200 baud packet on 145.825 to support double hop opportunities. ---And at times, especially during the weekends, you might see some SSTV operations if the crew is available. We will provide more updates in the near future. We would like to remind everyone that ISS flight requirements related to EVA and vehicle activity may require the radio to be off for some portion of this schedule. And school contacts and general QSO opportunities by the crew will also preempt this schedule for short periods of time. (But remember that if you hear these, you still qualify for a commemorative certificate). In the meantime, enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS! And congratulations to Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the 25th anniversary of his historic flight!! 73, Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs ARISS International Chairman

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AO-51 repeater off
by Andrew Glasbrenner 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

The repeater on AO-51 will be off for a little while. Meanwhile, the 9600 baud downlink (only) on 435.150 is running at very high power, so it might be a good time to try your 9600 baud receive setups. Please do not attempt any uplinks until the repeater is back on. 73, Drew KO4MA AMSAT-NS VP Operations

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Re: AMSAT-BB Digest, Vol 3, Issue 619 SINAD Testing
by Stan W1LE 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Hello The Net: SINAD is nice because the complete path from RF thru IF thru audio demodulation can be tested. Also a cost effective approach, Last SINAD meter I got was about 100$. It is a HELPER Instruments,Inc. model SINADDER LINEAR 5 SINAD measurements require an external signal generator, and variable attenuator. A noise figure meter can usually test the RF path or the RF thru IF path, but NOT to audio. For my HP-8970B, the IF would have to be more than 10 MHz, the low freq end of the machine. NF meters are about 10-20X $$$ the SINAD meter purchase. I use my NF meter in a Y factor mode, which is essentially a signal to noise ratio. SINAD is also a Signal to Noise ratio, with Distortion taken into consideration. (S+N+D)/(N+D). When noise is very low, and distortion is also low, thus a S/N. SINAD was used by Motorola and FM radio testing with a 1000Hz test modulation. Testing can also be used for testing SSB receivers, using a clean carrier with no modulation and tuning the RX for max signal, max S/N, max SINAD reading. Both instruments have their utility. Stan, W1LE Cape Cod, FN41sr > 2. Re: MMIC for LEO preamp? (RFI-EMI-GUY) > >

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Ao-51
by Peter Gibson 30 Nov '08

30 Nov '08

Ref the AO-51 will be off for a little while. Meanwhile, the 9600 baud downlink (only) on 435.150 is running at very high power wish you would put date and time this is taking place PLEASE Peter G7LJA

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Re: ARISS Commemorative Event--25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Sp...
by K8KFJ＠aol.com 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

In a message dated 11/29/2008 1:27:37 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, ka3hdo(a)comcast.net writes: > Owen's historic flight on the STS-9 Space Shuttle Columbia mission was > launched on November 28 and landed on December 8, 1983 A year later in 1984, the ARRL introduced cassette tapes of those STS contacts for purchase. They were produced by WA2DHF and titled Amateur Radio in Space - W5LFL Aboard Columbia STS-9. 73, Gary -K8KFJ- AMSAT #32,574 Sat VUCC #125 **************Life should be easier. So should your homepage. Try the NEW AOL.com. (http://www.aol.com/?optin=new-dp&icid=aolcom40vanity&ncid=emlcntaolcom00000…)

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Re: Predict Voice Announcements?
by Paul Williamson 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

>I'm running the 2,21d version for DOS. Sounds like the voice announcements are in the Linux version? That's right. No voice announcements for DOS. There's really no standard way to do it under DOS. The closest thing would be to use the SoundBlaster hardware and hope that something similar is installed. Not nearly as easy or as portable as the sound support under Linux. 73 -Paul kb5mu(a)amsat.org

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