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

FO-29
by k3szh＠netzero.net 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

Missed a station on the log. DH5MK Mike a good friend , look at his set up in the attic and he was 5/6 , not using a preamp on my new antenna yet. I think i heard only two other US station ? what a shame. Joe Amsat 3788 _____________________________________________________________________ Get Freebies & Coupons -- Free of Hassle at FreeInternet.com! Visit http://offers.netzero.net/TGL1221/?u=http://www.freeinternet.com

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FO-29
by k3szh＠netzero.net 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

What a group on FO-29. (12:47 utc) Worked PA1TNO, EA8AYA, G7BTA, F4CTZ, N2UN, missed others sounded like 20M hi hi. Joe Amsat 3788 _____________________________________________________________ Click to become a master chef, own a restaurant and make millions. http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2221/fc/Ioyw6i4t0DWPLHlwn6sv9VHuxq5M…

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spaceflight(launch) question
by Auke de Jong, VE6PWN 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

I was wondering... An question just occured to me that I couldn't answer: If a small satellite were hand-launched from the space station, and it contained an ion-drive motor powered by electricity, would it ever be able to accelerate in order to gain a higher orbit, or would that require an impracically large power supply/engine? In other words, could that method be used to achieve higher orbits with communication/ham class satellites without having to use the typical large rocket we've been using all this time? Also, would there be a cost-advantage to this method? Auke de Jong VE6PWN DO33go Edmonton, AB

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Re: spaceflight(launch) question
by G0MRF＠aol.com 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

Hi. Nice thought. As far as I am aware, Ion thrusters need a lot of DC power, although low power (80W or so) have been developed. But there are still two problems. One is the restrictions on propellent on the ISS / shuttle. Even though Xenon gas is 'harmless' it still posses a hazard due to fuel tank pressure and a contamination risk if it leaks into the habitable areas. The other problem is the thrust developed by a small Ion drive is really very small. Probably less than 10 milli Newtons. Given the drag on the solar panels at 350km, it may be that the thrust is too little to overcome the drag. Pulsed plasma technology may be better as it only needs Teflon and DC power, so no risk to crew. But propulsion on a LEO as a concept has to be a winner. Thanks David G0MRF In a message dated 01/11/2008 03:12:10 GMT Standard Time, sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca writes: I was wondering... An question just occured to me that I couldn't answer: If a small satellite were hand-launched from the space station, and it contained an ion-drive motor powered by electricity, would it ever be able to accelerate in order to gain a higher orbit, or would that require an impracically large power supply/engine? In other words, could that method be used to achieve higher orbits with communication/ham class satellites without having to use the typical large rocket we've been using all this time? Also, would there be a cost-advantage to this method?

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Re: spaceflight(launch) question
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

DITTO bob W7LRD -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Auke de Jong, VE6PWN" <sparkycivic(a)shaw.ca> > I was wondering... An question just occured to me that I couldn't answer: If a > small satellite were hand-launched from the space station, and it contained an > ion-drive motor powered by electricity, would it ever be able to accelerate in > order to gain a higher orbit, or would that require an impracically large power > supply/engine? In other words, could that method be used to achieve higher > orbits with communication/ham class satellites without having to use the typical > large rocket we've been using all this time? Also, would there be a > cost-advantage to this method? > > > Auke de Jong > VE6PWN > DO33go > Edmonton, AB > > _______________________________________________ > 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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Re: Newbie question about AO-07
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

Hello Mark et al Ao7 will automatically switch modes about 2045 -2100 from what I can figure out. Mode B is the most popular, a lot stronger downlink with less QSB. We need some new "blood" on the bird. It has gotten so we can tell who is on there just by the sound of their voice. Not that I dislike repeated converstions. In fact one can actually have an actual converation where we talk about more than, "you're 5/5 in CN87 Om". The "regulars" I have got to know quite well, and enjoy it each time I hear them. We gripe about no and/or a delayed HEO. From Seattle I can work Mika OH8MBN, granted not for very long, but the challange is worth the effort. This workhorse of a satellite has old/reliable tech. Perhaps we should emulate this concept in the future. It's like an old Timex, "It takes a licking but keeps on ticking". I am reminded of the KISS concept "keep is simple stupid". At the same time I am 90% ready for a HEO L/S. Look for me on AO-7. Where we can bs about "almost" any thing. 73 Bob W7LRD CN87wk near Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it" -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Mark Lunday, WD4ELG" <mlunday(a)nc.rr.com> > For some reason, I cannot seem to find info which indicates the mode for the > pass...mode A or B. I usually figure it out after listening on 145 downlink > and not hearing anything then going to the 29 MHz downlink. Once, I even > heard my downlink on 29.45 MHz at the start of the pass only to hear it > stop. Was not sure what happened until I started tuning around and > discovered the bird had SWITCHED from mode A to mode B in the middle of the > pass! So my question is...other than trial and error or listening for the > beacons (which won't help if the bird switches during the pass), is there > any pattern or location of information for the prediction of the mode? > Thanks, as I am thrilled each time I can get through this oldie-but-goodie > with 5 watts on CW. What a blast! > > An additional question since the batteries have long ceased to function on > AO-7, it only works during sunlight passes. Somebody mentioned that this > will happen less and less as we get close to winter solstice. Is this > because AO7 is in a northerly LEO orbit? If it passes in the southern > hemisphere, would it not have MORE available online time? I see > http://planetemily.com/ao7/Eclipse.php but it's not a predictor for November > 2008 (and I am not sure I understand it anyway). Should I just set > Orbitron/HRD for AO7 "in sunlight/illumination" only option? > > Mark Lunday > WD4ELG > wd4elg(a)arrl.net > http://wd4elg.net > > > _______________________________________________ > 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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DM23 on AO-16 and AO-51 (1-2 November)
by Patrick STODDARD (WD9EWK/VA7EWK) 01 Nov '08

01 Nov '08

Hi! I'm planning a quick road trip west of Phoenix to grid DM23 for AO-16 passes on Saturday (1 November) afternoon and the AO-51 pass around 0124 UTC Sunday (2 November - Saturday evening for North America). This grid covers parts of western Arizona and southeastern California; my plan is to be on from somewhere on the Arizona side of the Colorado River in La Paz County, but I could end up on the California side in Riverside County. DM23 would be the 20th different grid I have operated from via satellite in 2008. Although I have been working the AO-51 SSB/FM cross-mode repeater the last 2 evenings and enjoying that challenge, I plan on using the normal 145.920/435.300 MHz FM repeater for the 0124 UTC. Due to time constraints, I do not plan on being out there for the western AO-51 pass later in the evening around 0304 UTC. 73! Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK http://www.wd9ewk.net/

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