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

ANS-335 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins
by JoAnne Maenpaa 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-335 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * AO-51 Software Reload in Progress * ARISS Commemorative Event 25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space * SKN on OSCAR 2009 * GENSO Groundstation Development Opportunity For Students * Call For Articles - Brief Author's Guide to the AMSAT Journal * ARISS Status Report for the Week of November 24, 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.01 AO-51 Software Reload in Progress AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.01 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.01 AO-51 was reported as "not heard" starting Wednesday, November 26 by stations around the world. The satellite's ground stations determined that AO-51 required a software reload. AMSAT Vice President of Operations, Drew KO4MA reported, "It looks like we'll be reloading AO-51 for Thanksgiving. Gould WA4SXM started the process this evening, and I expected it'll be Saturday or later before it's back open for general use." Gould, WA4SXM reported on Saturday, November 29, "AO-51 reload was mostly successful and the main V/U repeater became operational on Friday. The SQRX receiver task didn't reload and cause a the crash in the software. We are in the process of reloading the SW and hope to have it operational the first of the week. Thanks to Kevin, WA6FWF for all his work during the Thanksgiving holiday working on the soft- ware upload to AO51." The latest status for AO-51 remains as not operational with a soft- ware reload in progress. Drew, KO4MA said, "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. Once the satellite is recovered the Operations Team will test to deter- mine the appropriate operating mode." The full AO-51 schedule and Command Team News can be found on-line at: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/ControlTeam.php. The AMSAT main web page will also provide a quick status update when the infor- mation changes. Operating mode requests can be sent via e-mail to ao51-modes(a)amsat.org . [ANS thanks The AO-51 Command Team for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.02 ARISS Commemorative Event 25th Anniversary of Ham Radio in Space AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.02 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.02 AMSAT-NA V.P. for Human Spaceflight Programs and ARISS Inter- national Chairman Frank Bauer, KA3HDO announced, "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 ovember 28 and landed on December 8, 1983. Owen's ham radio adventure on STS-9 ushered in a host of outstanding out- reach activities that continue today with the ARISS program." Frank continued, "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." "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, Dec ember 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 hearthese, you still qualify for a commemorative certificate). Frank concluded, "In the meantime, enjoy the ARISS ops on ISS! And congratulations to Owen Garriott, W5LFL, on the 25th anniversary of his historic flight!!" [ANS thanks Frank, KA3HDO for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.03 SKN on OSCAR 2009 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.03 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.03 Ray Soifer, W2RS this week extended the annual cordial invitation to all radio amateurs worldwide to participate in AMSAT s Straight Key Night (SKN) on OSCAR 2009. Participating in SKN on OSCAR 2009 is easy. No rules, no scoring and no need to send in a log. Just operate CW through any OSCAR between 0000 and 2400 UTC on 1 January 2009, using a straight hand key. In keeping with the friendly nature of this event, all participants are encouraged to nominate someone they worked for "Best Fist." Your nominee need not have the best fist of those you heard, just of those you worked. Please send your nomination to w2rs(a)amsat.org. A list of those nominated will appear in ANS and The AMSAT Journal. CU SKN! [ANS thanks Ray Soifer, W2RS for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.04 GENSO Groundstation Development Opportunity For Students AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.04 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.04 GENSO Project Software Engineering Mentor, Dave, G4GPZ writing on behalf of the ESA Education Office invites students to apply to take part in the development of the system. The Groundstation Educational Network for Spacecraft Operations (GENSO) is a system is aimed at CubeSat operators and Amateur Sat- ellite users to enable more effective use of the devices by pro- viding better wordwide opportunities for telemetry recovery. More details can be found at http://www.genso.org and http://www.esa.int/esaED/SEMSOC5KXMF_index_0.html The project is being sponsored by member agencies of ISEB. AMSAT-UK is participating in the project by providing equipment recommemdations, setting up reference ground stations, software for predictions and hardware driver. [ANS thanks Dave, G4DPZ and ESA for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.05 Call For Articles - Brief Author's Guide to the AMSAT Journal AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.05 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.05 You are invited to share your amateur radio in space ideas and experiences with fellow satellite operators. The AMSAT Journal, a bi-monthly publication of AMSAT-North America, brings you the latest information in satellite mission planning, satellite- related hardware design and construction, satellite-related soft- ware design and implementation, and amateur radio earth station construction. There are plenty of opportunities for you to share your ideas and experience across all levels. Did you homebrew a successful antenna? Which setup did you use for your first satellite con- tacts? A brief write-up and photos are appreciated by everyone! Do you have ideas about future amateur radio space missions? Can you describe unique aspects of a particular orbit and the equip- ment needed to make it work? Simply type out your ideas on your computer and send them in. Let the AMSAT Journal editorial team do the clean up and formatting for you. Its easy to send your article to the AMSAT Journal e-mail box via journal(a)amsat.org. There is no need to do any special formatting on your submission because the final layout format is driven by the magazine's typesetting software. All you need to include is: + Your text in MS-Word or plain text format + Graphics saved in separate files (jpg, gif, tiff) (Actually, an MS-Word file with embedded graphics is the most diffi- cult format to typeset.) If you have any questions, or need some help feel free to contact the editors at the AMSAT Journal at journal(a)amsat.org. One of us will get back to you as soon as we can. To assist with your planning the submission deadline for articles is the 15th of each odd numbered month. Ed Long, WA4SWJ Editor-in-Chief Tim Lilley, N3TL Assistant Editor Bill Hook, W3QBC Assistant Editor JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM Assistant Editor [ANS thanks the AMSAT Journal for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-335.06 ARISS Status Report for the Week of November 24, 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 335.06 >From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. November 30, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-335.06 1. Upcoming School Contacts The Wairarapa Home School Association in Carterton, Wairarapa, New Zealand had an ARISS contact on Wednesday, November 26 via telebridge station VK4KHZ in Australia. Students learned about space exploration and the International Space Station to prepare for the contact. Age appropriate studies, exercises, and activ- ities have been undertaken by all those who will be involved in the event which will include some of the parents. An ARISS contact has been scheduled with St. Anthony's College in Shillong, India on Monday, December 1 at 08:04 UTC. Telebridge station WH6PN will facilitate the contact. An ARISS contact has been approved for Alexandroupolis School of Special Education and 11th Alexandroupolis Primary School in Alex- androupolis, Greece. The contact will take place on Monday, December 1. Astronomy and amateur radio lectures have been given in preparation for the event. Special attention has been given to the role of humanity and science and to the every day life of an astronaut. The ISS courses have been based on ESA's education tool "ISS Education Kit." Quispamsis Elementary and Middle Schools in Quispamsis, New Bruns- wick, Canada have been scheduled for an ARISS contact on Thursday, December 4 at 18:02 UTC. Math, Social Studies, and Literacy Skills have been emphasized through the participation of students in this project. Subjects of amateur radio, space, satellites and the ISS have been integrated into the science curriculum. Quispamsis Ele- mentary School (QES) and the Loyalist City Amateur Radio Club (LCARC) have participated in AMSAT-Echo-51 Satellite contacts for the past two years. The Quispamsis Middle School has an enrichment program. Two years of students who participated in the satellite contacts at QES are also involved with this program. The amateur radio instal- lation has been used to complement the enrichment program, and to demonstrate amateur radio to girl guides and scout troops. Children have created posters for placement in the school to publicize the event and local and national media coverage is anticipated. 2. First ARISS School Contact in New Zealand Successful The first ARISS contact with a school in New Zealand took place on Thursday, November 20. Students from St. Teresa's School in Wairarapa connected with the ISS via the telebridge station VK4KHZ in Australia. Astronaut Mike Fincke, KE5AIT answered all questions from the 21 students as an audience of 130 watched. The audio was fed into the EchoLink AMSAT (101 377) and JK1ZRW (277 208) servers and received 7 connections from stations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US There was extensive media coverage which included TVNZ, The Dominion Post, The Wellington Daily News and The Wairarapa Times Age. The con- tact was first reported on the late news on TV One at 10.30 pm on Thursday evening. It was repeated on 4 different occasions during the Early Morning and Midday news on TV One and a 3-4 minute slot was given in the Friday 6 pm evening news. The New Zealand Education Gazette editor also asked for details regarding the contact, as it is being written up for the December issue. The Dominion Post article has been posted on-line. See: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4767581a6479.html To view The Wairarapa Times Age story, go to: http://www.times-age.co.nz/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3790845&thesec tion=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection= TVNZ One News coverage may be found here: http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/2324497 3. ARISS Celebrates International Education Week Students from Poolesville, Maryland, Raleigh, North Carolina and Quito, Ecuador participated in a joint ARISS contact on Friday, November 14 as part of International Education Week (IEW). The students, as well as family members and other guests, reconvened on Tuesday, November 18. Poolesville High School students visited the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. where approximately 150 students participated, and the North Carolina and Ecuador schools tied in via videoconference for another IEW session. Former astronaut Don Thomas gave a presentation on International Exploration, from the past to the present, and ARISS Chairman Frank Bauer gave an overview of amateur radio and the ARISS contact using video of the students from the contact event. They joined GSFC Earth Observation expert Robert Cahalan in the expert panel session. Amateur radio operators from Hawaii, Italy, China, England, Spain, and Canada participated through a teleconference, giving talks about amateur radio and the culture of their countries. Students participated in the sessions and asked questions in English, but also in foreign languages such as Spanish and German. 4. ARISS International Team Meeting Held The monthly ARISS International Team teleconference was held on Tuesday, November 18. Agenda items discussed included the next ARISS face to face meeting, SuitSat-2 status and on-orbit hardware. The minutes have been posted to the ARISS Web site. See: http://www.rac.ca/ariss/arisstel2008-11-18.htm [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. With that please keep in mind that the preferred brand of coffee served aboard the Titanic was Sanka, of course. 73, This week's ANS Editor, JoAnne Maenpaa, K9JKM K9JKM at amsat dot org

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For Sale Icom IC-820H (Sold)
by Michael Tondee 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

The rig and preamp are now sold. Thank everyone for your interest and for the banwidth to allow me to get this done. 73, Michael, W4HIJ ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Tondee" <mat_62(a)netcommander.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 9:47 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] For Sale Icom IC-820H > Hi everyone, the preamp in now sold and I'm awaiting an answer from > someone on the rig. I will let everyone know the status ASAP. > Thank you, > Michael > ----- Original Message ----- > From: Michael Tondee > To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org > Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 3:52 PM > Subject: For Sale Icom IC-820H, IC-AG35 70 cm preamp > > > I have a nearly perfect Icom IC 820-H for sale. Comes with hand mic and > manual. I do not have the original box. I would say this rig is an 8 out > of 10. It's in great shape and the only reason I don't rate it 9 out of 10 > is that a previous owner switched out the N connector on the 70cm side for > an SO-239. I bought it used a little less than a year ago from a > gentleman on this list and now I've decided to go to an all in one HF and > satellite radio. I'm asking $450.00 for the radio. This includes shipping > anywhere in the lower 48 states. > I also have an Icom AG-35 70 cm receive preamp for sale. I am asking > 125.00 for it. This also includes shipping anywhere in the lower 48 > states. If someone would like the radio and preamp both I will sell them > together shipped for $560.00 Paypal only please. Contact me off list if > interested. I will be glad to provide pictures to any serious inquiries if > needed. > Tnx and 73, > Michael, W4HIJ > _______________________________________________ > 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.169 / Virus Database: 270.9.11/1818 - Release Date: 11/28/2008 7:31 PM

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AO-16 is back!
by Sebastian 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

Mark, N8MH, just commanded AO-16 back on again, and it's little rest appears to have made the bird a lot stronger for me. He said it's probably on it's last legs, so if you want to be some of the last to say goodbye on it, this might be the time. 73 de W4AS Sebastian

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Resale value of FT-847s
by Edward Cole 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

HI, I am considering a radio change and wonder what price on a used FT-847 is going for? The radio is non-smoking, good condition but not mint appearance, fully operational, has been modified for separate Rx antennas for 2m and 70cm using sma connectors (see my website). I am considering the Elecraft K3 with dual Rx and would have to trade-up. Only speculating at this point and the radio is NOT for sale at this time. *********************************************************** 73, Ed - KL7UW BP40iq, 6m - 3cm 144-EME: FT-847, mgf-1801, 4x-xp20, 185w 1296-EME: DEMI-Xvtr, 0.30 dBNF, 4.9m dish, 60W http://www.kl7uw.com AK VHF-Up Group NA Rep. for DUBUS: dubususa(a)hotmail.com ***********************************************************

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Re: MMIC for LEO preamp?
by RFI-EMI-GUY 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

I can't see any reason you couldn't perform the SINAD on an AM receiver and probably SSB as well. The point being that when tuning a preamplifier for the best SINAD are you not accomplishing the same goal as in using a noise source? Edward Cole wrote: > > Joe, > > I believe that SINAD applies to sensitivity measurements on FM, only. > At least that is the only application I have done. SINAD does a good > job of determining MDS fo a receiver, so in fact determines by reverse > calculations what the Noise Figure would be. When you measure NF, > that can be converted to noise temperature that can be used to > determine MDS in dBm, so they are interelated. > > I think that one could use FM SINAD to charaterize the system > sensitivity and allow one to work calculations to obtain NF. > > my opinion. > > 73, Ed - KL7UW > > At 11:04 AM 11/28/2008, you wrote: >> I have always wondered why so much discussion around noise figure >> ignores the application of a SINAD meter in tuning receiver system >> preamplifiers? Does not the SINAD meter accomplish the same goal without >> having to disable AGC etc? >> >> -- >> 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 >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> 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 > > > > -- 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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For Sale Icom IC-820H
by Michael Tondee 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

Hi everyone, the preamp in now sold and I'm awaiting an answer from someone on the rig. I will let everyone know the status ASAP. Thank you, Michael ----- Original Message ----- From: Michael Tondee To: amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Sent: Friday, November 28, 2008 3:52 PM Subject: For Sale Icom IC-820H, IC-AG35 70 cm preamp I have a nearly perfect Icom IC 820-H for sale. Comes with hand mic and manual. I do not have the original box. I would say this rig is an 8 out of 10. It's in great shape and the only reason I don't rate it 9 out of 10 is that a previous owner switched out the N connector on the 70cm side for an SO-239. I bought it used a little less than a year ago from a gentleman on this list and now I've decided to go to an all in one HF and satellite radio. I'm asking $450.00 for the radio. This includes shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states. I also have an Icom AG-35 70 cm receive preamp for sale. I am asking 125.00 for it. This also includes shipping anywhere in the lower 48 states. If someone would like the radio and preamp both I will sell them together shipped for $560.00 Paypal only please. Contact me off list if interested. I will be glad to provide pictures to any serious inquiries if needed. Tnx and 73, Michael, W4HIJ

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AO 51 L/U not heard
by Lino IK1SOW 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

AO-51 not heard in L/U mode on orbit 23216, V/U was ok Lino, IK1SOW

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Determining orbit number
by Bryan Green 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

Greetings, all: How do you determine the orbit number of a satellite, and what are the conventions to determining when the orbit number changes? Thanks in advance for the information. -- bag KL7CN/W6 CM98fn

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Re: MMIC for LEO preamp?
by RFI-EMI-GUY 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

I have always wondered why so much discussion around noise figure ignores the application of a SINAD meter in tuning receiver system preamplifiers? Does not the SINAD meter accomplish the same goal without having to disable AGC etc? -- 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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Re: I8CVS
by Edward Cole 29 Nov '08

29 Nov '08

Yes, I can count on Domenico to correct my math whenever I chose to atempt technical subjects. Obviously an intellegent an educated gentleman. 73, Ed - KL7UW At 02:08 PM 11/28/2008, w7lrd(a)comcast.net wrote: >ditto - in fact at times I have to get out some of my books to >follow him. Rocket science is not easy to learn. >73 Bob W7LRD > >-- >"if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" > >-------------- Original message -------------- >From: WILLIAMS MICHAEL <k9qho6762(a)sbcglobal.net> > > > I am just amazed. > > > > It seems like every time Domenico (I8CVS) gets on this BB and > makes a post, I am > > printing a hard copy of what he has to say or printing the link > he refers me to. > > This is followed by a ritual of punching holes and putting this valuable > > information into a binder for reference. > > > > I just wanted to let you know that somebody out here is using > your information. > > > > Thank you Domenico! > > > > Mike (K9QHO) > > AMSAT 33589 > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > 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 >_______________________________________________ >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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